“This game against the United States is a unique opportunity”

Saitama (Japan), Aug 2 (EFE) .- The pivot of Spanish basketball team Pau Gasol admits that the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games quarterfinal duel against the United States on Tuesday is “a unique opportunity and a special one”. “Finish as the winners and join the battle for medals”.

“This match, at the moment, is a unique and special occasion that we have to go for and face it with the utmost confidence and determination. In the four games I have played, we have lost against them at different times It will be something amazing and it is very special to be a winner, ”the Spanish player said in a press conference.

Gasol insisted it was “a unique opportunity” to “finish as winners and try to be in the medal fight again”.

For the first time at the Olympic Games the quarter-finals were decided by a draw, with the Spaniards already aware that they were United after finishing second in the group after losing yesterday against Slovenia in the previous group match (87–95). States may face the US.

“We knew that if we lost tomorrow’s game we would have 50% that the United States would win us, a coin for a head or a cross. If we had won the game tomorrow and we had played a pass against Germany or Italy which We are doing very well, good championship, we could not be so happy and comfortable to face an economical quarter-final,” admitted the old Gasol.

Axle acknowledged that playing against a North American team was “a challenge” because of “their great individual talent”, but reiterated the view that it was a unique opportunity. “We have to focus on that tomorrow, on the desire to be able to do something incredible and historic that we haven’t been able to do in any sport,” he said.

This American team started in the losing games against France (83–76), but they have no less talent for the Pau Gasol than other teams that the United States have brought in previous games.

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“They had three players who joined the day before, very important, they are great players and now they have Root, the rest and three games to shoot here. They have a very strong team, but we are back again. Will see if our collective strength, solidarity as a team can take precedence over that individual talent and we can have a great game tomorrow,” he analyzed.

France hurt him with his internal game, which Gasol said was “different in terms of player type”. “But it’s true that we have to try that the players within us are a factor,” he said, including “generating play”, looking for passes abroad, “punishing them for changing defense” and “accusing the attack”. Mentioning the elements accepted. Well rebound”.

Asked by EFE about Kevin Durant, Gasol considered him “a great player and a great scorer” but recalled that yesterday his opponent had “many weapons and anyone can put them.” “It’s clear that Durant has more weight, more prominence and more minutes, we have to make things as difficult as possible,” he said.

On a personal level, Pau Gasol explained that his goal in these games is to connect “what can be done” to his role, adding that it is “a huge success” for him to be in the Games and “contribute”.

“It’s a huge success for me and I’m very happy to be here at these Olympics after years of inactivity, having played with Barca and well and very grateful,” he said.

The Spanish Interior has presented itself in elections to be one of the candidates to be part of the IOC Athletes Commission.

“Sports is of great importance to me in my life, not just in my career and I want to play an important role in the Olympic movement and represent the athletes, ensuring that the sport continues to grow and improve over time, He explained Pau Gasol.

(c) EFE Agency