After their 86-70 loss to Greece in the first preparation match for the EuroBasket 2022, Spain conceded that Greece was the superior team on the day, with national team coach Sergio Scariolo acknowledging they faced one of the best teams in European basketball, reported Basket News.
"It was a very interesting game. We have played against one of the best teams in the competition [EuroBasket], which belongs to the group that everyone expects on the podium," said Scariolo.
"It has also been a beautiful setting, the arena filled with great support for the home team," said Spain's national team coach.
"Surely the first quarter has helped us a lot to understand that we have to take a step forward on a physical and contact level to counteract the physical superiority of rivals like this," Scariolo shared his thoughts on where Spain has to improve.
"Until Giannis Antentokoumpo appeared in the last quarter to make the difference, I think we did some interesting things. We have played harder," Scariolo saw some positivity in the defeat.
Scariolo went on to stress the physical advantage that Greece had.
"Many of our players physically have other conditions compared to most of our rivals and we have to find other formulas to compete," said the coach.
"I don't think there is a chemistry issue, because the players know each other from the league and the windows. My team is cohesive and we tried to match Greece's superiority in terms of bodies and readiness," continued the Italian coach.
