Spain is on the brink of a new EuroBasket campaign, ready to defend its European crown. The national team opens its group stage against Georgia, a matchup expected to be competitive and tightly contested.
For coach Sergio Scariolo, the first game is more than a fixture; it is a chance to measure how his squad handles expectations and pressure. Spain’s preparation has seen its share of ups and downs, yet the Italian coach remains calm and confident.
“We’ve prepared quite well; now comes the hardest part. I’ve never had bad feelings with this team in all these years before starting a tournament. The sense of cohesion and desire to compete was good, and now all that’s left is for each player to be clear about what he has to do, on and off the court, and to begin the competition without any added pressure but with full awareness that the task in this group will be very difficult, and that every game will carry fundamental weight,” Scariolo said, highlighting both discipline and clarity as keys to success.
Despite being the reigning champions, Spain is not considered one of the favorites. The latest Power Rankings even place them outside the Top 10, a status that might seem discouraging, but Scariolo sees it differently.
“I don’t think everybody in the basketball world is stupid. If we are ranked tenth, it’s because they believe that’s our situation right now. Everyone has their opinion, but luckily, rankings are not results. Historically, I’ve learned that these classifications are based on the individual talent of the 12 players on the roster. At the same time, historically, we’ve been able to add something extra thanks to our collective work, to being united and competitive, with strong tactical preparation. The basketball IQ of Spanish players has historically been high, so we rely a lot on these strengths to try to compete. But I can also tell you that we have very good players individually. I’m happy with the roster I have.”
This tournament also marks a generational transition, with Santi Aldama leading a new wave of talent. Scariolo believes this fresh blood, paired with experienced veterans like Willy, Juancho, and Darío, ensures Spain’s continued competitiveness.
“There is a bright future for Spanish basketball. Many players are very close to exploding and taking the final step toward maturity. Fortunately, there are also players like Willy, Juancho, or Darío, who still have plenty of gas left in the tank. For many reasons, I see a very, very bright future for the Spanish national team in the coming years,” he said.
Sergio Scariolo on Spain's position in the Power Rankings: “I don’t think everybody in the basketball world is stupid"#Eurobasket https://t.co/EjyiqeJr8G
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) August 27, 2025
