OROne of the most talented generations of national basketball, the one from 2004is back on everyone’s lips. The Spanish Selection Under 19 starts the World Championship of the category, in Hungary, with unbeatable sensations. Two victories in two games against theoretically direct rivals, Canada (56-83) and France (88-69)and the clear feeling of being the main rival of the traditional dominator, the United States of America.
the pupils of Dani Miret came from a magical last summer, in which they took Turkey and were sub 18 European gold by beating the host. The World Cup are big words, but the ‘feeling’ is even bigger in a team that is missing some pieces with clear space, like Aday Mara. A team that feels great about the physical battle and the open field, taking advantage of its great arguments.
The main one is Izan Almansa. The boy who forms part of the innovative Overtime Elite, a team that broadcasts its matches through Instagram and YouTube, where he has bordered the double-double in the course (more than 9 points and 8 rebounds per game), he steps on Hungary emphatically. They destroyed Canada with a 17+8 and against France they suffered more… to go to better numbers, 21+7.
life from triple
With the irregular departure from the Murcian interior, before France he excelled Baba Miller. He needed it, because his season is rare. He left Real Madrid, reached the NCAA and lived a sanction that cut short his course. Although he was not in tune against Canada, he crushed France with 4 3-pointers (on 5 attempts) and 14 points. He will be a player selected in the next Draft, for the great ‘gurus’ of the rookies (over 36 in the class).
The success from the triple is also being seconded by a great Jordi Rodríguez, one of those who has been leading the 2004 generation since its inception. 15 points (3/7 from the triple) to Canada and 15 (3/7 in T3) to France to find the scoring consistency that is required of them looking for the next step.
Langarita, key from the bench
In case there was a lack of contribution, Miret has put together a team in which another of the pearls, Lucas Langarita, is the first option from the bench. Pure talent and many points (14 against Canada and 14 against France), improvement from the triple -he made 2/5 against the Frenchmen- and key your contribution in the second unit. There Spain has another compelling reason to believe.
The medal is the illusion, not the goal
“Our dream is to get a medal. We are going to put everything on our side and I think we have options. But that is the illusion, not the goal, “explained Dani Miret at the start of the championship. His first performance is unbeatable. They dream of taking on the United States.
