Rudy Fernandez conveyed a bittersweet feeling following Spain's elimination from the Olympics and his career-last game. The veteran forward is convinced that La Roja will soon enjoy moments of glory after coming up short in the last two tournaments.
Rudy Fernandez's finale as a basketball player was written in a packed Pierre Mauroy arena in Lille.
| Player of the Game | |
|
EFF
19
|
| Andrew Nembhard | |
| Points | 18 |
| Accuracy | 8-10 |
| Rebounds | 1 |
| Assists | 2 |
Spain went down against Canada (83-85) and the legendary forward conveyed his feelings after the contest that saw his team finish 4th in the group and get eliminated from the Olympics knockout stage.
"Sadness and peace," Rudy said, summing up his mental state.
"Peace. It's time to be quiet with the family. And sadness because I have experienced so many things with this national team and with my clubs, and that there are no more tournaments or trips. I'm going to miss this team," the captain said via MARCA's Eugenio Munoz.
Fernandez, 39, went scoreless and shot blanks (0/5) from the field against Canada. Still, the mere fact that he was able to step on the court was something noone would have taken for granted before the game.
Against Greece he ended up with a painful whiplash on the neck after taking a blow from Juancho Hernangomez. But he went on.
"Many would not have been able to do that after such a blow. And he's come out and fought like always. I am personally proud of him after so many years," said his friend Sergio Llull.
"I thanked him. Very few would have played. We owe him the opportunity to come out as a player who tried his hardest, who gave everything in his sixth Olympics. He sets the example that we all have to follow," added coach Sergio Scariolo.
"I'm leaving, after having always tried to help the team," Rudy acknowledged.
"I thank them. And I'm happy for the work we did. We have fought until the end. It's the right thing to do when you represent this jersey. We came up short, but I'm leaving with a very good taste because watching the team compete in this way gives me peace of mind for the present and the future," he confessed.
Spain didn't make it past the group stage in last year's FIBA World Cup either. A loss to Canada proved once again crucial for Scariolo's squad who won the 2022 EuroBasket with very much the same roster.
"I am convinced that they will enjoy titles again," Rudy explained, while Llull also appeared confident that Spain will be back.
"We'll be up again. Obviously, Pau and Marc Gasol or [Juan Carlos] Navarro are no longer there, but the young guys will understand the character that defines this team," the veteran Real Madrid guard pointed out.
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