With the hangover of Madrid’s celebration still echoing in the halls of European basketball, the focus shifts to Sergio Scariolo and Louis Gil. Born in Seville on July 16, 1971, Gil is packing his bags for a journey to Japan, arriving at the end of 2019 and starting a new chapter in 2021 with the Shiga Lakes, one of the 24 teams in Japan’s B.League.
Gil witnessed Spain’s surprising World Cup victory in 2019 under Scariolo alongside stars like Ricky Rubio. He also credits the 2022 Eurobasket triumph in Berlin to Scariolo’s tactical acumen while acknowledging the team’s hard work and unity that propelled them to success.
Spanish team presents Eurobasket in Madrid to dedicated fans
“A victory of this magnitude leaves you speechless. It felt unimaginable, even bigger than the World Cup,” Gil said in a talk with a major Catalan newspaper. “Such a win is incredibly rewarding. It makes you believe that anything is possible, even if people doubt you. That belief runs through the group. They doubted us, we proved them wrong.”
He adds that no one on the journey to Spain could have predicted how the tournament would unfold, even with the team facing tough early matchups. Yet the feelings during the event were strong and consistent. “Before traveling, I thought we would perform very well because we just finished preparing against Greece and Lithuania. We had options, and the sense within the group mirrored the World Cup. The team grew with every game, and each player stepped up in turn,” he states.
As the era of the so-called Golden Generation — players like Gasol, Reyes, and Navarro — gradually winds down, the federation’s work remains steady and decisive. “There will be no transition until it is completed. The era is not over,” Gil asserts. He believes Spain’s dominance in global basketball has stood apart from the United States and notes that Spain has reached the European semifinals for twenty-three years, a testament to the federation’s direction.
Fans filled Wizink Center as Rudy Fernandez and Scariolo took the stage. The Mallorcan forward spoke of Scariolo’s greatness, saying, “What you achieved with this team is extraordinary.” Gil confirms that he has no rough ties with any Real Madrid players. “Scariolo is one of the best coaches in the world. Who else has guided teams to NBA, world, and European championships in four years? I’m not sure anyone has done it like him. And he never stops pushing for more.”
dark business
Beyond the European and world titles, the national team’s current structure relies on careful planning by the federation and Scariolo to build a robust player base across windows. This approach helps players break into the system more easily over time, broadening the pool of talent. “It allows people to fall in love with players like Sebas Saiz, Pradilla, and others who seem to have been part of the setup their whole lives,” Gil explains. “Titles look good, but Sergio’s lasting impact is his philosophy and the way to understand the game that earns universal respect.”
He challenges the assessment from some French coaches that Spain has not played at an extraordinary level recently. “We played well against Turkey, Lithuania, Finland, and Germany. We did not rely on luck; we trained hard, had plans A through D, and pursued every answer. Sometimes you win, sometimes you don’t, but we know what’s possible,” he says, highlighting the players’ competitive edge and technical understanding that sets Spaniards apart.
Gil also notes a barrier in reaching the elite for some players. He mentions his time coaching in Japan where rosters lean on eight locals and four foreigners, while in Spain the league can mix eight non-community players with others outside the formation. This dynamic makes it hard for certain talents to reach the national team, a reality that may reflect broader market considerations. He adds that evaluating every move in a private company setup like the league requires nuance, and predicting a player’s long-term development is never simple. Only time and results reveal the extent of a player’s growth.
With the echo of Madrid’s celebrations fading, the focus on European basketball remains sharp. The titlist mindset continues to drive both federation aims and individual careers as Spain pursues excellence on the world stage.
Gil’s reflections on the journey underscore a belief that the core is not just talent but a shared philosophy. The next chapters will test this philosophy as new players rise and existing stars adapt to fresh roles, all while the federation guards the path toward a sustainable, world-class program.
In this frame, the opinion of coaches and players alike centers on the philosophy that guides the Spain national team. The practical steps taken today are designed to secure tomorrow’s success, ensuring a steady flow of top players who can compete at the highest levels across continents and seasons.
As the basketball world watches, the narrative remains clear: Spain has built a brand of competition that blends relentless work with a deep understanding of the game, a formula that continues to attract admiration from fans and peers around the globe.