Despite an impressive victory over the USA, Pau Gasol gave a reminder that the job is not done, and as his personal experience shows, managing emotions will be the key for Germany facing Serbia in the FIBA World Cup 2023 final.
Seventeen years ago, when the Greek national team defeated Team USA in the World Cup semifinal in Saitama, many believed they would go on all the way to claim the championship. However, they faced a decisive 47-70 defeat to Spain, even without their star player, Pau Gasol.
| Player of the Game | |
|
EFF
26
|
| Daniel Theis | |
| Points | 21 |
| Accuracy | 10-15 |
| Rebounds | 7 |
| Assists | 2 |
During a Talk Show hosted by FIBA, which featured all three World Cup ambassadors, including Carmelo Anthony and Luis Scola, Gazzetta journalist Antonis Kalkavouras reminded Pau Gasol of this memorable event.
The Greek journalist recounted the celebrations that followed Greece's victory.
"Oh, I remember that!" Carmelo interjected during the show, as he had been part of the USA team then.
Pau was then asked about the advice he would offer Germany's team following their exhilarating win against the USA on Friday.
"Don't get too excited. Like Kobe said, the job is not done. You won the semifinal - great. You won against the USA - great. But you have a chance to win a gold medal. Your focus is on the final game and the chance to win a gold medal," Pau Gasol said.
"Managing excitement and your emotions. I remember my team in 2006, and I saw a lot of confidence in my teammates. They saw an opportunity despite Greece playing great and beating the favorites. But they came out with heart and played an amazing defensive game. They were amazing. That was fun to me. I enjoyed it the most," Pau Gasol recalled.
Speaking of the finalists, he also enjoys watching Serbia perform in the World Cup.
The fact that his former head coach coaches it, Svetislav Pesic, adds an extra layer of excitement for him.
"I think Pesic being the coach is one of the most inspiring stories of this tournament. He was the coach of a team that won the World Cup in 2002 for Serbia, and he's the head coach of a team playing in the final," Pau Gasol smiled.
"What an amazing coach. I got to work with him and know him personally, and I give him a lot of credit," he recalled his first pro years in Barcelona.
"He's one of those old-school coaches whose passion leads his teams to the best possible outcome. Serbia is playing extremely well without Jokic and other great players. But the unity and team play overcomes an individual talent. "
