Two days after a surprising turn in Athens, the Spanish team began to savor more than just a win over Greece. They looked forward to the European Championship, slated to begin on September 1, and used a Wednesday night clash at Wizink Center in Madrid to project a stronger image. The return of Sergio Llull and his temporary absence opened space for others to stand out, culminating in an 87-80 victory that left observers with a clear sense of momentum heading into the tournament.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two-time NBA MVP and a towering figure for Greece, poured in 31 points in the Athens game but could not suit up on Thursday due to an illness. He watched from the sideline as his brothers carried the burden of leadership. Costas and Thanasis Antetokounmpo competed vigorously against their Spanish counterparts, with Juancho and Willy Hernangómez stepping up as the focal points of a balanced Spanish attack. The absence of Giannis was felt, yet the Spaniards seized the moment with a cohesive team effort.
Scariolo reduces the list of the Spanish team: Abalde and Yusta will not continue
In another era-defining moment, Lorenzo Brown appeared more at ease during his second interview after becoming a naturalized player. Although he did not wear a jersey as a regular, his ball handling and tempo adjustments helped stabilize the rhythm for Spain, especially during key stretches when pace needed to be managed and energy conserved.
Llull remained the heartbeat of the team, a role that did not waver as the game progressed. The whiplash of plays centered around his leadership, while his teammates mirrored that intensity. The crowd at Wizink Center roared as Llull created opportunities and set the tempo for a squad preparing for a major continental test.
Three consecutive sequences, two initiated by Rudy Fernández and one by Juancho Hernangómez, jolted a previously stagnant Spanish attack and altered the dynamic of the match. Llull’s return to the floor after a moment of defensive pressure brought a new energy, with Brown stepping in to orchestrate the offense. The Balearic base demonstrated why he is viewed as the team’s guide for this campaign, especially as veterans like Pau Gasol and Marc Gasol leaned into quieter, more purposeful contributions. Behind them, Ricky Rubio and Sergio Rodríguez provided depth and reliability.
Sergio Scariolo continued to weigh the final roster for the European Championship, revealing that minutes would be weighed carefully as the clock moved toward the decisive cut. Sebastián Saiz and Jaime Pradilla contributed by maximizing crunch time, while John Núñez, the 18-year-old Madrid-born playmaker who emerged as MVP of the recent European Under-20 Championship, offered a glimpse of the future with an impactful home debut. It probably could not seal the job this time, but it signaled potential and promise for Spain’s long-term plans.
Fell in court? The scene showed a moment of personal triumph and collective focus. Saiz delivered a standout sequence to underscore a developing depth chart and a readiness for increased responsibility as the team navigates the later stages of its preparation.
Beyond Giannis, the Greek coach also used substitutions to alter the strategic frame. Thanasis Antetokounmpo saw action in the final stretch of the first half to ensure energy remained high. Yet even with the NBA’s own star sharing the floor with his brother for the Bucks, Greece did not derail Spain’s rhythm. Spain maintained a steadfast defensive posture and an aggressive offensive tempo, a combination that kept them ahead on the scoreboard and left little room for gradual comebacks.
Data sheet:
87 – Spain: Brown 8, Pradilla 12, López-Arostegui 0, Willy Hernangómez 23, Juancho Hernangómez 10, starting five, Rudy Fernández 6, Llull 6, Saiz 7, Parra 0, Jaime Fernández 6, Guerra 4, Brizuela 5.
80 – Greece: Calathes 8, Dorsey 9, Papanikolaou 5, Agravanis 24, Kostas Antetokounmpo 6, starting five, Papapetrou 8, Thanasis Antetokounmpo 1, Larentzakis 7, Bochoridis 5, Kaselakis 5, Lountzis 2, Kouzeloglu 0.
referees: Antonio Conde, Luis Miguel Castillo, and Fernando Calatrava, all from Spain. The match did not end with a blowout, reflecting a spirited, competitive display from both sides.
Events: Eurobasket friendly played at Wizink Center in Madrid in front of 13,047 spectators.