The men’s basketball team sharpened its preparation for the Olympic Games with a victory over Puerto Rico (107-84) at the WiZink Center, in the last match before its debut on the big sporting stage. The match was also Rudy Fernández’s farewell to a court in Spain, since after the Games he will retire at the age of 39. The match coincided precisely with the day that marked exactly 20 years since his debut with the Spanish team, in a match played in his native Palma on July 23, 2004, a match against Croatia in preparation for the Athens Games. Now, in Paris, Rudy will become the only basketball player in history, along with the American Diana Taurasi, to have played in six Olympic games.
Rudy had nine points and three assists against Puerto Rico and made a memorable three-pointer from almost the center of the field in the last second of the first quarter. In the stands he was accompanied by his wife and children, his sister Marta and his grandmother Lola, 93 years old. They all came out onto the court after the game for a final tribute to the captain.
Sergio Scariolo’s team finished their preparation for the Games with good sensations and with Alex Abrines and Juancho Hernangómez back to full fitness after their injuries. The Spanish team will debut in Lille, the Olympic venue for the first phase of basketball, on Saturday 27 against Australia at 11:00. They will then play at the same time on the 30th against Greece and will close the group phase on the 2nd against Canada. The top two of the three groups and the two best third-placed teams will qualify for the quarterfinals.
You can follow Morning Express Sports on Facebook and Xor sign up here to receive the Daily newsletter of the Paris Olympic Games.
