Lithuania, another tough rival for the national team

After defeat and victory Greece the first two trials of euro basketballthe Spanish team continues another high-level challenge in the men’s third Test this afternoon (7.30pm peninsular time) against Lithuania in Las Palmas. Sergio ScarioloThe team returned to work on Sunday gran canaria The arena, the scene of this conference, faces an important week for both the set-up and team overview. Now made up of 16 players, with Usman’s recovery pending. Galba.

yes Greece Not to mention Lithuania, a team blessed with a strong interior game in which the NBA Jonas stands out, constituted a first-level rivalry with maximum ambition Valanciunas (Pelican) and Domantus Sabonis (king).Azurgrana Jokbaitis as a base Zalgiris Lucas Recavicius Or the new Panathinaikos Marius Forward Grigonis It constitutes another of the combined Baltic threats. Lithuania It is included in Group B of the first tier of EuroBasket. Germany, Hungary, Slovenia, Bosnian Herzegovina and France.

In the opinion of the coach, Sergio Scariolo, Lithuania is “another team that everyone considers a medal favourite”, giving an idea of ​​the difficulty. It takes a step forward, requiring a higher hardness of impact, keeping the big ones as far away from the paint as possible, and racing the numbers.” The Italian coach admits his rivals have “very high physical athletic rhythm”, play “excellent basketball” and have very good players “in all positions”. Spain They are “Enthusiasm, Energy, Desire to Improve”.

“Now we have very strong rivals like Lithuania, especially in the inside game, with talented players in every position, but we are looking forward to another challenge, individual responsibility and collective collective effort.” added Forward. Xavi Lopez Arostegui.

Yesterday’s coach also delved deeper into psychological and environmental issues than talent and physical moments. “Everyone says we are far from medal contention. We have to work to get closer and see where the competition will be,” he said. Sergio Scariolo, trying to maintain a speech of humility and moderation. “Arrogance and bravery are not good allies when facing competition, especially when it alienates us from reality,” he added.

Asked about the physical condition of power forwards Usman Galba, Scagliolo believed he still had a ‘stretch’ to be available, ‘not for the recovery of his ankle, but for his shape after being out of work for so long’, as he was behind his teammate. I’m here.And he’s a player who needs to be “physically fit to perform and contribute”

After this game Spain Return a visit to the Baltic team with a trip to Vilnius, will have a rematch next Thursday. This will be the last test before playing his two games of World Cup Windows against Iceland and the Netherlands, a serious appetizer to the European Championship starting on September 1.