Spain want Scariolo, Mondelo to remain in charge
MADRID (FIBA EuroBasket 2017/FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017) - The Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB) is adhering to a philosophy that appears to make perfect sense for its senior national teams.
As the saying goes, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." The men's and women's teams certainly have not been broken under coaches Sergio Scariolo and Lucas Mondelo and as a result, the FEB is in talks with each to stay at the helm of the respective sides.
"We are having conversations with them, with Sergio they are more advanced than with Lucas. We would love to count on the two of them for the coming years." - Garbajosa
Scariolo first coached Spain in 2009 but relinquished the reins to his assistant, Juan Antonio Orenga, after the 2012 Olympics.
A shock Quarter-Final exit at the hands of rivals France two years later at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Madrid led to the FEB bringing Scariolo back the following year.
Mondelo took over the Spain women's team after they failed to reach the European Championship Quarter-Finals in 2011 in Poland. The team had been among the title favorites and was looking to stay in the hunt for an Olympic berth but finished tied for ninth.
Spain in advanced talks to retain Sergio Scariolo as NT coach, according to FEB president Jorge Garbajosa https://t.co/eqMi1dgP9w
— JEFF TAYLOR (@JeffreyNTaylor) September 22, 2016
Both Scariolo and Mondelo have led the country to a slew of medals.
"For me, they are the ideal national team coaches," said Garbajosa, who became FEB president earlier this year after a glittering playing career that saw him capture a world title with Spain in 2006, an Olympic silver in 2008 and a EuroBasket crown in 2009.
"We are having conversations with them, with Sergio they are more advanced than with Lucas. We would love to count on the two of them for the coming years."
Scariolo has steered Spain to EuroBasket championships in 2009, 2011 and 2015, 2012 Olympic silver and 2016 Olympic bronze.
Scariolo's Spain overcame a difficult start to win bronze in Rio de Janeiro
Spain have endured some slow starts under Scariolo but they usually peak at the right time of tournaments. At EuroBasket 2015, just as they did in the first summer under Scariolo at the EuroBasket in Poland, the team struggled to get out of the Group Phase but ended up capturing the title.
Mondelo coached Spain's women to the European title in 2013, a runners-up finish at the 2014 World Cup, third place at the European Championship last year and silver at the Rio Olympics.
Lucas Mondelo has had a winning touch for Spain
FIBA
