With the flame of the Games extinguished, an appointment to be forgotten in Spanish basketball, it is time to look to the future and Spain does so, leaving behind a glorious era that demands a renewal at its height. Because, the road to the 2023 World Cup that begins this week appears as one of the starting points towards that new Spain that must learn to compete without the Gasols or without Sergio Rodríguez. They are looking for new members for the ‘Family’ and the casting is already underway with the youngest call in the history of the windows. Sixteen players who will have in Quino Colom –world champion in 2019 and protagonist of the classification for that tournament- a
its main reference. Epicenter the base of this new team that will face Macedonia on Friday and Georgia on Monday in the first stakes towards the World Cup to be held in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines.
Colom debuted with Spain in 2017 and It is the product of these windows that were born with controversy and that they have established a new model in world basketball. His face, unknown then by the great Spanish public, became familiar in those agonizing duels that ended up giving the team a place in China 2019. Tournament where the team captured its second star and in which the point guard lived his greatest experience as international. He does not forget that trip to Quino who, only four years after making his debut with the national team, will be the captain of Spain on Friday. «The truth is that it sounds very strong. I think about it and I can’t quite believe it. It is a pride to be the captain of this team and take the witness of those who have occupied that place before. Now it’s time to do it well and try to instill in the youngest the philosophy and the feeling of belonging that makes this team great. It’s a role that I like, “he acknowledges to ABC shortly after finishing his first contact with his new colleagues.
You have just arrived in Guadalajara after flying from Athens to Madrid. In the Greek capital he plays this year in the ranks of the AEK, his umpteenth adventure abroad. Because Colom is an atypical Spaniard, who has found more affection outside than at home. “It’s not that I feel better away from Spain, but being young here I didn’t have many opportunities and I felt more comfortable going abroad. I have learned many things in all the countries in which I have lived and I have really enjoyed basketball. I would encourage young people to value at least that possibility that many times they do not even put on the table», Explains the point guard born in Andorra.
Fear of going outside
In fact, it is not usual to see nationals playing and succeeding outside the ACB and the NBA. Sergio Rodriguez -Champion with CSKA and now in Armani Milan- and he is the great exponents of a model still in disuse. «Many foreign clubs are surprised when they are offered a Spanish player. They are suspicious, because it is rare that they want to play outside. I took a risk and it went well, but it’s not easy, “he says.
In his case, the difficult thing has been to succeed at home. In the Endesa League. After passing through Russia and Turkey, Valencia knocked on his door. Ponsarnau seduced him, although at the moment of truth his time at the orange club was an ordeal. Nor did his signing for Baskonia in the final stretch of last season leave him a good memory. «What happened in Valencia was very strange. In fact, I still don’t really understand what happened. In Vitoria it was different, because I arrived to help because of the casualties, but I was not in my best physical moment and that, with a coach as demanding as Ivanovic, is difficult. For this reason, in summer I looked out again … ». In Athens he has found a new refuge and there he received the call from Scariolo. We have a special connection. I am very grateful to him for everything I have lived through these years. For calling me the first time and for giving me the opportunity to win the World Cup in 2019. For me it is an honor to play for Spain. It is the best thing that can happen to an athlete and this time I come with the same enthusiasm as that first day, “he says.
Team casualties
In view of MacedoniaOn Friday, he will play his 32nd game with the national jersey and will debut a captaincy that he has been in office since Monday. Around him he has young people who dream of emulating his path. With becoming key players in the classification and attracting both Scariolo’s attention to gain a place in the European Championship next summer. «With the losses of the Gasol and Sergio Rodríguez a new horizon opens. It is the law of life that veterans leave room and it is nice that other players can join the team. The problem is that we come from such a high level, that those who have left have made us dream and enjoy so much, that for the new ones it will be very difficult. You have to be patient with them and give them confidence, “claims the point guard, who hopes to maintain his aim to be in the Eurobasket.
“Those of us who are here this week know that this dream is closer to us. It is true that casualties leave room for new faces to enter, but the competition is so fierce that it will not be easy. If I am lucky enough to be there, fine. And if not, I will be the first fan of the team, as I was for many years, “acknowledges the player, happy to have become one of the common faces of this Spain of the windows. A benchmark for those who dream, like him, of one day hanging a medal with the national team.
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