Larnaca Chipriot airport said yesterday to the players of the Spanish basketball team towards different destinations. During the early morning, Sergio Scariolo had flown after something cold, just an appearance during the template dinner with a backpack on the back, applause and the last and brief words of thanks before moving the exit door without a company. The worst classification in a great appointment, and closed an era, the 15 years and eight titles of the Italian on the bench.
In truth, the man who left the Parklane hotel in Limasol was not just the most laureate coach in the history of Spanish basketball. Who from today already fully exercised as coach of Real Madrid was the forge of a model, an organizational chart and a philosophy that gave the group of their own identity: competitiveness, collective game and a feeling of belonging to that called the family, based on the commitment of the best generation ever seen. As Álex Mumbrú said, former international and today Germany coach, “the Spain brand.”
The technician born in Brescia 64 years ago “in 15 years I have been very involved in the quarry and training. I have been lucky enough to have a very receptive federation. They could have told me to dedicate myself to the blockages and to the pick and roll. But I have insisted, I have had that influence and they have allowed me. We have created lasting values that can survive and a game system that has its tactical wealth and is really competitive. And that overall vision that joins the academy with the first team. It is a legacy that will make the task easier for those who come behind. I leave the marked line. ”
Scariolo debuted in the Spanish team on August 14, 2009 in a match won to Cuba for 94-57 in Las Palmas and preparatory for the Eurobasket of that summer. The template speaks for itself: Raúl López, Ricky Rubio, Carlos Cabezas, Navarro, Llull, Rudy, Claver, Mmbrú, Garbajosa, Felipe Reyes, Marc Gasol. The group would join Pau to conquer the first European in the history of the National Team. Scariolo was baptized with gold, the first of five. At that stage, until 2012, he reissued the continental title in 2011 and hung London’s Olympic silver against the United States. In the second (2015-25) he fattened the booty with the European golds of 2015 and 2022, the 2019 world gold and the 2016 and European Bronzes of 2017. Conquered in 13 great championships and after 222 games (156 wins and 66 losses), only behind the 433 of Antonio Díaz-Miguel. With Scariolo they debuted 64 men.
The trophies shine in a private museum built under a paddle track in his house in Marbella. In the room, the NBA ring that achieved in 2019 as an assistant technician at Nick Nurse in the Raptors and the ball of the match that he directed as the main coach for the chief’s covid was achieved. But something is missing the collection: the Euroleague. The European Cup is one of the objectives that has moved the coach to break the contract signed with the Federation until 2028 and sign a three seasons agreement with Madrid. During the last season he already studied the offer of a club. He resisted, he said. There was no longer a “no” to return to the White House, where he led between 1999 and 2002 and won a league. And Spain must look for substitute.
That “who comes behind” that Scariolo speaks is the great decision at the president’s table, Elisa Aguilar. The election of the new coach is the first step of a reconstruction process with many edges after the European Batacazo. Two names are the great candidates for relay: Pablo Laso (57 years) and Chus Mateo (56). Both are without a team after leaving Baskonia and Madrid, respectively, and are willing to take reins and devote themselves exclusively to the national team. Whoever is, the new coach will have a mountain of duties: mature the generational relay, consolidate young people, underpin the follow -up of those who play in the United States (NBA and universities) and reinforce the commitment to wear the Spanish shirt with the 2028 games and as great goals. And of course, establish your game style.
The new coach will debut on November 27 against Denmark in Copenhagen in the Classification for the World Cup in Qatar 2027, a long process that closes in March of that year. Then he will play in Tenerife on the 30th in front of Georgia, both appointments without the Euroleague players or those competing in the US. The renewal path will not begin precisely in a simple way.
