Slovakia's head coach Aramis Naglic said he could give his right hand that Spain didn't manage to get the shot, which tied the game in overtime in time, as the clock was started too late.
Slovakia lost a nail-biting game against Spain in the EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers after a highly controversial episode in the overtime. Slovakia's head coach, Aramis Naglic, addressed it post-game.
Slovakia
SpainWith 0.4 seconds left on the game clock, Slovakia had the possession. However, Spain was able to deflect the pass, and Santi Yusta gathered the ball and made a three-pointer at the buzzer.
After an intensive review, the shot was counted. However, fans and experts alike highlighted that the clock was started noticeably too late on the possession, and Yusta did not manage to get the shot off in time.
"I can discuss a lot about what happened in the end. I'm thinking that 0.4 seconds, theoretically, is not possible to touch the ball, to ball go on the floor, and then shoot. I can give my right hand for that that it's not possible," Slovakia's head coach Aramis Naglic said in the post-game press conference.
Slovakia's player Mario Ihring agreed.
"I was sure that there was no way that somebody could score in 0.4 seconds. Basically, the ball goes down on the floor," he said. "So, I know with 0.3, you have to just quickly catch it and release it."
Spain's head coach Sergio Scariolo admitted he did not feel good about the situation, with Slovakia having the ball and only 0.4 on the clock.
"Not good, honestly. I could just give instructions about pressing the ball, denying," he said.
He also wasn't sure the ball was released in time.
"Not before one of my assistant coaches showed me the iPad. When they showed me the replay of the situation, I saw that it was in time," Scariolo said. "Both guys from the Slovak TV, or whatever they were, on the table, they were nodding their heads, saying it was in time, before the referees made the final decision. I have to give them credit for their honesty."
