Spain maintains maximum demand against Canada

Scariolo’s men start final rehearsals for Granada World Cup

MADRID, August 16 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Spanish men’s basketball team faced Canada this Thursday (9:30 p.m. / La2) in the first of two matches of the Granada Tournament, the last stage of preparation for the 2023 World Cup, with the obligation to take a new step physically. and game

Sergio Scariolo’s men follow one more hot summer stage at a good pace and with good sensations. The big meeting where Spain will defend the title begins on August 25 and the champion has two victories, against Venezuela and Slovenia, and a defeat against the United States last Sunday in Malaga.

The appointment at Martín Carpena was undoubtedly the best criterion for the Italian coach so far, with two demanding duels in which the team answered. Against Luka Doncic’s Slovenia, Spain showed their great connection as a team, although they were less complete than their rivals, with an excellent defense and an attack that worked.

The European champion does not lack points, as in the other preparations, and work and solidarity are not negotiable. Santi Aldama contributes a lot in his debut with the absolute and Juan Núñez, in the position of point guard reduced with the loss of Ricky Rubio, it seems that he has also been playing with the seniors for many years.

Against the United States, big favorites for the World Cup despite fewer frightening names in the NBA, the host played until the last minutes of the centenary tournament of the FEB. Thus, the Scariolo team proves to have an excellent base on which to continue working, still having these two tries in which Usman Garuba will reappear, injured against Slovenia, and Sergio Llull will make his debut after a particular preparation.

Canada will be at the highest level at the Palacio de los Deportes in Granada and Saturday will be the finishing touch against the Dominican Republic. The North American side are among the favorites to snatch the title from Spain, with a young and powerful squad with NBA talent led by Spanish coach Jordi Fernández since this summer.

The Canadian team is starting a project with a view to beyond the World Cup, the objective of the Paris 2024 Olympics, but the quality already has it despite a significant drop already confirmed. That same Wednesday, Jamal Murray, brand new NBA champion with the Denver Nuggets, confirmed his absence because he felt unable to “compete at the highest level” due to a “long and demanding” season.

TECHNICAL SHEET:

–EQUIPMENT:

SPAIN: Alberto Abalde, Santi Aldama, Darío Brizuela, Víctor Claver, Alberto Díaz, Jaime Fernández, Rudy Fernández, Usman Garuba, Juancho Hernangómez, Willy Hernangómez, Sergio Llull, Joel Parra, Jaime Pradilla, Juan Núñez and Sebas Saiz.

CANADA: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, RJ Barrett, Kelly Olynyk, Dillon Brooks, Dwight Powell, Kyle Alexander, Alexander-Walker, Bell-Haynes, Kenny Chery, Zach Edey, Melvin Ejim, Philip Scrubb.

–PAVILLION: Palace of Sports of Granada.

–TIME: 9:30 p.m./La2.