Champion Spain takes the first step against the Ivory Coast
Scariolo’s men start the World Cup this Saturday as the clear favorite to win Group G
MADRID, 25 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish men’s basketball team makes its debut this Saturday (3:30 p.m./La2) in the 2023 World Cup against the Ivory Coast in Group G, an affordable first step at the Indonesia Arena despite the possible nerves of the debut, thinking of growing.
Sergio Scariolo’s men defend the title they won four years ago in China and on top of that they also arrive as current European champions. The absence of media stars or great figures from the NBA once again removes some favoritism from Spain, but the double world champion will once again seek the path to medals.
After a short preparation with five games, the Italian coach is confident that this first phase will serve to continue polishing mechanisms and roles within a team that will base its game on defense. An intense attitude without getting carried away at any time, despite starting as a favorite over the Africans, just like in the following Group G matches with Brazil and Iran.
Spain and the Ivory Coast have only met three times in their respective histories. There were three friendly matches, all of them on Spanish soil (Las Palmas, Zaragoza and Málaga), with Sergio Scariolo as coach and with a Spanish victory. The ‘Elephants’ are in a good regularity of not failing at the big events, AfroBasket champions in 2021, but reaching the second round is their biggest objective.
Captain Souleyman Diabate, 36, and Vafessa Fofana led the Ivory Coast to the World Cup, but once here, with Matt Costello, Stephane Konate and Guy Edi missing, they have a difficult field and the most demanding debut possible.
The champion is ready for a title defense, including an Alberto Díaz who suffered a minor knee injury against Canada in the penultimate friendly in Grenada. The Unicaja player is key in that defensive intensity, in a team where anyone can have their day, with a special mention before starting for Juan Núñez, Usman Garuba, Santi Aldama, Willy and Juancho Hernangómez.
DATASHEET:
–EQUIPMENT.
SPAIN: Rudy Fernández, Víctor Claver, Sergio Llull, Willy Hernangómez, Juancho Hernangómez, Álex Abrines, Darío Brizuela, Joel Parra, Usman Garuba, Juan Núñez, Santi Aldama and Alberto Díaz.
Ivory Coast: Souleyman Diabate, Maxence Dadiet, Toulouse, Nisre Zouzoua, Bazoumana Kone, Charles Abouo, Assemian Moulare, Mike Fofana, Jean Philippe Dally, Cedric Bah, Vafessa Fofana, Patrick Tape and Amadou Sidibe.
–REFEREES: Fernández, Bartel and Mikheyev.
–HALL: Indonesia Arena.
–HORA: 15.30/La2.
2023-08-25 17:37:08
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