In a win against Georgia, Rudy Fernandez surpassed Juan Antonio San Epifanio as the 2nd-most capped Spanish national team player. Fernandez himself, Sergio Scariolo, and Ilias Zouros shared their thoughts on this amazing feat.
Although Spain was in control against Georgia for most of the game, at the end of the third quarter, La Roja had a tricky 9-point lead as one of the EuroBasket hosts did everything in their power to hold the Spaniards.
Spain
Bulgaria
Georgia
Belgium
Montenegro
TurkeyHowever, then the only old buccaneer remembered his golden days. If you're still questioning who we are talking about, it's Rudy Fernandez, who on Saturday night became the 2nd-most capped Spanish national player with 240 games under his belt.
Firstly, the 37-year-old dished an assist to Joel Parra. Moments later, he knocked down a 3-pointer of his own and made a drive to the basket for the lay-up. Everything was crowned with a one hand pass to Jaime Pradilla, who knocked down a 3-pointer to finish the third quarter.
And just like that, Spain's lead ballooned from 9 to 24 points, with Fernandez being directly responsible for 10 points in that 2.5-minute stretch.
In 14 minutes of playing time, Fernandez accumulated 8 points (1/2 2PT, 2/5 3PT), 3 assists, 2 rebounds, and 9 EFF, taking his total points tally to 2008.
The 240th appearance for the Spanish national team meant that Rudy passed the legendary Juan Antonio San Epifanio.
"Wearing this jersey," Fernandez told FIBA website on what keeps him going. "For me, every summer is motivation to prepare for any tournament we play in with the national team."
As head coach Sergio Scariolo pointed out, to be selected for such a team as Spain, being 37-year-old is a separate achievement on its own. Fernandez reveals that such longevity is a result of his dedication to the craft.
"When I jump, I'm not the same guy I was in the past. So I try to do my best and prepare my body for a long season. The regular season has a lot of games. After that, I play in the summer with the national team. It's a lot of games for my body," Fernandez said.
Rudy Fernandez
| Team: |
Real Madrid |
| Position: | SG, SF |
| Age: | 37 |
| Height: | 196 cm |
| Weight: | 84 kg |
| Birth place: | Mallorca, Spain |
Georgia's head coach Ilias Zouros also pointed out that Fernandez's work ethic is one of the reasons he still competes at such a level.
"Normally, in such situations, you can't say much except 'Congratulations'," Zouros said in the press conference. "He had a brilliant career, being so many years on the court trying to do his best with his club and national team, giving 100% every time. He's great, I cannot say anything more."
"Our first game in EuroLeague was Real Madrid vs. Olympiacos. It was also against Sergio [Scariolo]. Rudy is a great player, his numbers and quality speak for themselves. It's great that these players continue to play basketball and inspire young players.
It's very important that these players show the younger guys how they made it [to where they are] with hard work. Everything comes from hard work, while especially young generation avoids working so hard as the previous players in the past," the Greek coach tipped his hat to Fernandez.
Juan Carlos Navarro is the most capped national team player with 253 appearances. If Spain goes all the way in EuroBasket 2022, Fernandez will finish the European championship with 247 caps.
Another international tournament (which Fernandez hasn't ruled out yet), and we might be looking at the most capped Spanish player ever.
Even Scariolo admits that despite how hard it is, Fernandez manages to surprise him.
"To be second ever in the history of a big national team like Spain is probably giving him the final ticket to be considered a legend. But he's still there - competing, producing, and leading. He's still a player!" said Scariolo.
"If it's possible, it even surprises me at this point. He understood that he is the only old buccaneer left from the pirate ship. He's really committed to trying to bring the heritage to the new guys."
240 games in, and the only old buccaneer has 7 EuroBasket, 5 Olympic Games, and 4 World Cup appearances, having won 10 medals (only Pau Gasol has more with 11):
- 5 gold (World Cup 2006 and 2019, EuroBasket 2009, 2011, and 2015)
- 3 silver (Olympic Games 2008, 2012, and EuroBasket 2007)
- 2 bronze (Olympic Games 2016 and EuroBasket 2013)
A great haul for the last man standing in that pirate ship, but Rudy Fernandez remains hungry for, even more, still making a difference and contributing to the Spanish basketball success.
