No one in Spain wants the dream to end. On Sunday, selection players will clash with France for gold in European basketball. The Mercedes Arena in Berlin hosts the showdown at 20:30, broadcast by Tele 5, as a narrative of a fairy tale that coach Sergio Scariolo believes can end happily, leaving rivals behind. Securing the title would elevate an already outstanding Eurobasket run to legendary status.
From a start against Bulgaria on September 1, the squad has undergone a striking transformation. It has defied early expectations and now stands as one of Europe’s most talked about national teams. Spain brings a compact, confident unit that blends depth with star power, eyeing a final confrontation with France that would write a new chapter in continental basketball history. France carries a different kind of pressure, a bigger, more physical presence that promises a compelling clash in the title game.
“France is a team with another physical dimension, a challenge that would be exciting to face against a skilled and athletic side,” Scariolo says. “We will look for ways to stay competitive and make something special happen.”
The tenth final
Spain has reached ten finals in its history and now aims for a fourth continental title in one decisive meeting. The 2011 final, a memorable chapter in European basketball, saw a Spain led by Pau Gasol and a tournament MVP in Juan Carlos Navarro defeat Tony Parker’s France. Notably, Rudy Fernández, then 37, did not participate in that roster, yet he matched Pau’s tally of eleven medals at Eurobasket and surpassed him in career appearances in the tournament. The Madrid forward has used his leadership to inspire teammates and energize the dressing room.
Choosing to fight through this championship has mattered as much as talent. Spain has navigated a transitional phase, with veteran pillars such as the Gasol brothers stepping back and others like Sergio Rodríguez absent. The team has still faced losses and tested resilience after a difficult 2019 World Cup and a blocky stretch of performances. Yet they stand as a prime example of how a collective can prevail against star-led teams, a trend seen in Eurobasket games against Jokic’s Serbia, Doncic’s Slovenia, and Antetokounmpo’s Greece who all sought the title.
“Nobody trusted us before this tournament began, but in the locker room we saw a group ready to be champions. We all feel essential, and that belief is our quiet strength,” states Juancho Hernangómez, underscoring the player-driven evolution under coach Scariolo’s guidance and the core belief that has fueled their success.
Key parts
Rivalries aside, the squad relies on depth to weather tough moments. Willy Hernangómez emerged as a decisive leader who carried teammates through critical stretches. The influence of Lorenzo Brown, the nationalized point guard, proved pivotal in steering the road to the final, delivering notable performances against Lithuania and Germany that included 28 points with 8 assists and 29 points with 6 assists respectively. Juancho Hernangómez also contributed crucial late-game bursts. Díaz and Dìo Brizuela maintained steady, forceful production as well, providing the heavy lift when needed.
“We are in the final, yet there is still hard work ahead. The final will be tough and complex, but we are fighters and we will give our best every second,” Hernangómez adds from the team locker room, capturing the mood of a squad focused on a historic finish.