Quarterfinals, Spain vs. Serbia

[Red 7]

now that the dust has settled.. what do you think of Scariolo's decision not to foul in a tied game with 25" to go? I know other coaches would think otherwise, even if it had to be Milos shooting. Some say it's best to handle a situation yourself than to play for defeat or overtime (zots, for instance), and I tend to agree with that.

Well its hard. If you have a strong defence you know that it is not very likely for a foul to be called in the last 5 seconds of an extremely important game (Serbia v. Croatia the exception). If you foul and then are down by two that adds a whole load different pressure on to your team. Cause if you're fouled then, it only takes a 1/2 from the line to loose. Its a tough decision, I would personally go for the good defence, as defending is easier than attacking. Obradovic chooses this route as well. Its Yannakis who would foul as he would rather have the last attack in his hands.

[Luíz for 3]

That has nothing to do with constant renewal that you mentioned. One golden generation is not a constant.

How long last a generation? Maybe 10 years, in this case 2000-2010. Rudy and Marc are among the top players in European Basketball, and, together, they still have 5 years ahead... Rubio, Llull and Claver more 10 years! I consider this renewal...

[Luíz for 3]

I'm wondering if Serbians are cheering about their win or about Spanish loss...

Look like you are right!!!

[oranJe]

Garbajosa is always the martyr...

poor garba.. his hand stretches in exactly the same spot, too. and even though he wears a mask, I'm quite sure he has the exact same expression on his face

[mayteromanl]

Where have all the Spanish fans gone?

Just waiting for Scariolo!!!

[mayteromanl]

With Pau and the rest of the core they would still be one of the favorites for 2012. By 2014 I think you're right, this core will be too old to be called one of the tournament favorites which may be too bad since that W.C. will be in Spain. But who knows? 2014 is a long ways away, perhaps Spain will develop some more young talent by then, I just don't see it right now. Unless Rubio becomes one of the best PGs in the world and Llull, Claver, etc. all step their games up.

But without Pau, we won't play at the same level. It happened 5 years ago, in EU Belgrade, and yesterday. Pau is the key, he's who make our team be one of the best, not just a good one.

[Frosties]

I am drunk so maybe i'm missing sth. when did greece win a medal from '95 to '02? Unless you mean till '09...

You have answered your question....

[Frosties]

Constant renewal? This is their first contender generation. This transition will be crucial for Spanish basketball. Spain is a football country. Will Spain still be interested in basketball after this generation, especially if they dont come up with another contender generation? Will kids train to be the new Iniesta or Gasol? Its hard without a tradition. They have solid youth results at the moment but not many medals and no dominant generation like the 1980 with Gasol,Navarro...

I have lived in both countries, Serbia and Spain for more than a few years. Both countries are pretty much the same, football being sport no. 1. Spain does have a tradition, let me remind you that in 1950 they did take part in the first WC and that they won the first Silver medal in the EC back in the 30s.

If you check out the FIBA hall of fame, you will see quite a few names of Spanish basketball both as players and coaches.... so Spain does have a good tradition and ACB league is a good proof.

However, Spain´s federartion did terrible mistakes in the early 90 and there was an awfull vaccum between 91 to 99, 8 years without a single medal. The mistakes were mainly due to the profesionalization of ACB league. Needless to say that Yugoslavia and the USSR were always superior to Spain, Italy, Israel or Greece... countries with a tradition on its own.

So, Spain might not have been a winner as Yugoslavia was... but it has a deep bball tradition.

Don´t get me wrong or do not take me for an anti-Serb, but sometimes I got the feeling that you believe that basketball is a sport you and only you play... needless to say that although you have made a trademark of the sport, I deeply belive only in Lithuania bball is sport no. 1 in Europe (and I have lived for quite a few years in Belgrade...)

BTW, check out the silver medal team from 84...

[Frosties]

Very good analysis, and I wholeheartedly agree. Countries such as Spain, Argentina, etc. that have or have had golden generations will only continue to produce top notch teams if there is a basketball culture that permeates and continues to grow and develop in the country.

I have answered fastbreak on that. Spain has a solid bball tradition. Again, it is the country with the largest no. of silver medals in EC, it took part in the first EC and WC... so try to check out historical records before you relay on your empiric knowlege....

And this also applies to Argentina or Brazil. Before you were born, these two American countries were alredy at least once WChampions... So please, bbasketball was played well before you knew about it

[Frosties]

But without Pau, we won't play at the same level. It happened 5 years ago, in EU Belgrade, and yesterday. Pau is the key, he's who make our team be one of the best, not just a good one.

Yes, and with Pau Spain lost a final and did NOTHING in the Olympics in 2004. Pau has been an excuse for many things in this EC and a terrible cover for players like his brother.

[Frosties]

Look like you are right!!!

É o que tem nao saver ganhar... ou crer-ser melhor pelo feito de ser o que se é

I think Serbia is still in pain for suffering from Spain the most humillieting defeat ever in their glorious basketball history: the opening game of the EC 2005 in Novi Sad...

That is the difference between the old and the new country. They see whom they win not what they achieve....

[Frosties]

In your opinion what should a Latin American team do in order to be number 1?Play at the Euro-basket???

No, it is simply a question of level. Argentina, Brazil and the USA can win the Americas. In Europe at least 8 countries could do that:

Spain, Serbia, Greece, Russia, Lithuania - and although it has never been the case Slovenia, Turkey and a third country (Germany, France, Croatia...) could make it through.

Higher level, I believe.

[fastbreak]

I have lived in both countries, Serbia and Spain for more than a few years. Both countries are pretty much the same, football being sport no. 1. Spain does have a tradition, let me remind you that in 1950 they did take part in the first WC and that they won the first Silver medal in the EC back in the 30s.

If you check out the FIBA hall of fame, you will see quite a few names of Spanish basketball both as players and coaches.... so Spain does have a good tradition and ACB league is a good proof.

However, Spain´s federartion did terrible mistakes in the early 90 and there was an awfull vaccum between 91 to 99, 8 years without a single medal. The mistakes were mainly due to the profesionalization of ACB league.

So, Spain might not have been a winner as Yugoslavia was... but it has a deep bball tradition.

By the way, Srbija zemlja kosarka?? I deeply belive only in Lithuania bball is sport no. 1 in Europe (and I have lived for quite a few years in Belgrade...)

BTW, check out the silver medal team from 84...

They had some success over the years but they don't have a bball tradition. Bull fighting is probably still more popular than basketball. Tradition is not only success, even Egypt has a Eurobasket medal. It includes media coverage, fan and player base. Spaniards always say they learned the game from us. Basketball in Spain became mainstream after the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. That vacuum you mention is actually the turning point. Complete reorganization from the core. This golden generation was made in the ACB league. Those "mistakes" from the 90s made this generation!

The ACB is still the key. As long as its strong, they will have a good basketball team. Basketball is not a profitable sport they wont be able to pour millions in the league forever (same goes for Greece but that's another story). They would not want Mirotic that badly if they weren't afraid of the future. He is by far their best talent apart from Rubio. This summer the Spanish U18 finished 11th. They have a solid core with Rubio, Llul, Rudy and Marc but far from a contender.

[fastbreak]

third country (Germany) could make it through.

I ll stop watching basketball as soon as that happens. The incident in 1993 is too much anyway.

[Frosties]

I ll stop watching basketball as soon as that happens. The incident in 1993 is too much anyway.

I fully agree.... but accidents happen!