Basketball.-Sergio Scariolo: "Now everyone sees us as far from the top of the ladder."

MADRID, 20 (EUROPA PRESS)

Spanish men's basketball coach Sergio Scariolo has commented that with just one week to go until the start of the Eurobasket, "everyone" sees Spain as "far from the frontrunners" to win the tournament, but that despite this, they are a team with "ambition" and that he is "really happy" with "the level" the team is showing during the training camp.

"Germany, in addition to being world champions, is one of the most physically powerful teams. They also have very talented players who play in the NBA and Euroleague. It will be another useful test to see if we can at least stay on that top flight that everyone now sees us as distant from, and rightly so. But we are a team with ambition," said the Spanish national team coach ahead of the friendly match between Spain and Germany at the Movistar Arena in Madrid this Thursday.

Scariolo emphasized that he's "really happy" since the start of preparation, and that "the training level, concentration, energy, and intensity are adequate." Furthermore, the Italian coach confirmed the return of Santi Aldama and expressed optimism regarding Darío Brizuela, who is "developing positively." He is more concerned about Alberto Díaz, who will have "a test" to see if he can "return to training" this Wednesday afternoon.

"He's eager to be here, but it's a decision that the professionals will make. He feels good walking or riding a stationary bike, so we'll see. If he can't start training permanently, it's unlikely he'll be able to continue. Alberto (Díaz) being out would be a blow to the structure of this very tough team," he elaborated on the Málaga point guard's injury.

The Brescia native confirmed that they will travel to Germany to play the final warm-up match for the tournament, "with more than 12 players." "We'll be less competitive without Alberto, but if that happens, we'll have more playing time for very young players, who will begin their journey with the national team in official competition," he explained.

A training camp marked by injuries. "I can't remember a preparation where there were so many absences from the start and so many problems along the way. Even so, I'm happy with how we're training and how we're playing, given the physical and technical qualities we possess, so it's also been a fun training camp in that sense," the national team coach remarked.

Furthermore, Scariolo sees the fans "hooked." "I think they're grateful for everything this team has given them over so many years. But it's also the team's responsibility, for how we've performed in the last two championships, which have been very significant. In conditions of a completely changing era, we've been tremendously competitive, staying in the game until the very last shot. That's the point: when we can win, we win, and when we can't win, we compete until the very end," he emphasized.

Finally, he had kind words for Sergi Llull, who, ahead of this Thursday's Spain-Germany match at the Movistar Arena, will receive a tribute for his career with the national team: "I would have liked that tribute to have taken place later. It will be emotional and well-deserved for what he has given us for so long. His personality makes him worthy of all the affection he will receive at this moment."