France cannot stop Spain’s basketball players in the final either. In Berlin they get the next European Championship medal and build on the winning streak.
Spain’s basketball head coach Sergio Scariolo was just overjoyed after another major European Championship crowning glory amid an impressive medal streak.
“We were in eighth place in the power rankings and managed to overtake all teams. Especially the last one, full of NBA and Euroleague players,” said the coach after the 88:76 final victory against France in Berlin. “I’m very happy because we played great basketball.”
Seven European Championship tournaments, seven European Championship medals
Silver 2007, gold 2009, gold 2011, bronze 2013, gold 2015, bronze 2017 and now gold again: The Spaniards have now won precious metal in seven European Championship tournaments in a row. For the next twelve months, they will combine the two titles of world and European champions. “This title has a special taste, different from the others,” said Scariolo, who was showered by his pros at the press conference.
Next medal for Rudy Fernandez
The medal collection of Spain’s star Rudy Fernandez in the national jersey is also growing. The 37-year-old has won in this sequence since 2006: World Championship gold, European Championship silver, Olympic silver, European Championship gold, European Championship gold, Olympic silver, European Championship bronze, European Championship gold, Olympic bronze, World Championship gold and now, 2022: EM gold again.
While the Gasol brothers Pau and Marc abdicated after the Olympics in Tokyo, Fernandez made it back into Sergio Scariolo’s squad – and up to the title in Berlin, which the Spaniards, who started at most as co-favourites, completed with an 88:76 in the final against France.
“It was so special. This team was very young, but always fought. Now all the work in the tournament is only noticed,” said veteran Fernandez, who had the cut-off network of the Berlin Arena hanging around his neck during the interviews in the catacombs . “I am happy and proud to be part of this group.” In the all-time medal table at the European Championships, Fernandez would be alone ahead of nations like Italy, France and Germany.
In the tournament peppered with NBA superstars with Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Spaniards were initially considered more of an outsider. After the 2021 Olympics, Pau and Marc Gasol said goodbye, and the build-up players Ricky Rubio and Sergio Llull were not there. But the team spirit and a strong collective led by Willy Hernangomez surpassed themselves. “Incredible Spain. Congratulations guys,” wrote Slovenian Doncic, a former Real Madrid player.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
