The Spanish men’s basketball team was feted this Monday by more than 10,000 fans who came to the WiZink Center in Madrid to celebrate with her the conquest of the fourth title of European champions.
The Madrid venue recorded an almost full house to offer their affection to the 12 internationals and the coaching staff of the national team, who were able to celebrate the achievement of a somewhat unexpected gold medal. The fans packed the WiZink track and stands well before the European champions arrived at around 8:00 p.m. to star in a party that lasted just over an hour.
After the presentation of all the ‘staff’ of the Spanish team and the players, the coach Sergio Scariolo was the first to speak to address those present. “Thank you very much, once again we are all European champions,” said the Italian, with a smiling face that could hardly be seen during the Eurobasket.
In addition, the one from Brescia used a cinematographic simile to talk about the title of his team. “Do you remember the Will Smith movie ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ when he says to his son ‘Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something, if you want something, go for it.‘”, remarked Scariolo before the applause of the public.
Captain Rudy Fernández also gave “thank you very much for the support” and he remembered those of the “white polo”, in relation to the rest of the coaching staff and the expedition because “much of this trophy is thanks to their work”.
However, he was very affectionate with the coach, whom he thanked. “We have been together for many years, we have won four European gold medals and we have experienced everything, but what you have done with this team is amazing“, he confessed, to later thank each of his teammates for making him “believe” that they could “get it” and that he enjoyed “as if he were a 21-year-old boy.”
Among his accolades were and Willy Hernangómez because being “a hell of a guy” and deserving the ‘MVP’ of the Eurobasket, Lorenzo Brown for his “sacrifice and commitment” or to Xabi López-Arostegi for being “one of those who always” wants on his team. “Alberto! Please, how do you defend!”, He indicated to the Unicaja base, key with his defensive actions.
Willy Hernangómez, encouraged by the cry of ‘MVP’, wanted to remember “all the people who have been in the ‘windows’ and who are part of this team” and he was “very happy to be part of this group”. “Above all I want to thank Sergio for everything he has squeezed out of me and the fights that have fallen on me, and those that remain to me” , remarked the pivot on the selector.
Lorenzo Brown, also very applauded, tried it without much success with the Castilian, and Juancho Hernangómez, star in the final against France, recalled, with his voice already very ‘touched’, that he told Jaime Fernández to be “calm because they are all going to enter”. “Sometimes life seems like a movie, but this is better, this is real,” he assured in relation to his leading role in Adam Sandler’s “Claw.”
Jaime Fernández highlighted what has been “summer madness”, Darío Brizuela did not hide that he has teammates “friends for life” and Sebas Saiz, who had the least participation in the tournament, stated that they are European champions “when people did not believe in it.” Neil Diamond’s ‘Sweet Caroline’ was in charge of closing the party at the WiZink Center.
