Victory in Zaragoza went to Ricky

This Thursday two games were played in Zaragoza. Spain lost to Latvia (75-79) but although it is a team sport, there are exceptions and this was one of them. Ricky confirmed that he had won the mental health challenge to everyone’s delight. Six and a half months after stopping, the magician from El Masnou has put an end to his career in the crowded and dedicated Prince Felipe. A moment of great emotion. With short hair, a body that has lost some muscle but is still fine, a number nine and purple sneakers. Sergio Scariolo respected his stripes and gave him the starting jersey. It would be absurd to judge his match strictly, but since it was the day of his return, let his data remain there: 20 minutes, 11 points, 5 assists. His magnetism is genuine and, numbers aside (his 20% shooting percentage reflects his inactivity), he looked in very good shape, much better than anyone would have thought after a six-month layoff. The hardest part—the return—has already been done.

At the same time, Spain-Latvia, on the other hand, was something more than the return of Ricky. There’s always a score in basketball, and reunions happen sooner than expected. And there are still coals left from the match in Jakarta, which became the grave of the national team at the World Cup. Latvia does not seem to be the flower of the day. Despite the absence of such prominent figures as Porzingis, Bertrans or Zagars, one of the revelations at the September event, Luca Banchi has left his mark on a team that, like Spain, will take part in the pre-Olympic games. National team, also with high-profile casualties (Rudi, Lull, Lorenzo Brown, Abrines, Willy, Aldama, Garuba) overcame two difficult moments before the break. His abysmal first-quarter percentage (27.78%) condemned him to a nine-point decline. (14-23). Scariolo tried to raise the team’s defensive level with the help of Alberto Diaz and Claver. An 8-0 run brought the score to 22-23, but Latvia again increased the score to a dangerous 29-40, which the reigning EuroBasket champion compensated for with a good effort before the break (37-40). By the way, Ricky’s first points in free throws and a lot of conversations with Pradilla. one of those who understood its sequels best. It is already known that not everyone can decipher Ricky, but the one who does it becomes golden.

Spain slept again during the restart. Baltic again went to a dangerous score of 39-48. Row for the third time. And for the third time there was a reaction. Dario Brizuela’s basket left the game tied (57-57) late in the third quarter. The game was for those with more heart and more energy… For a moment it did not seem like a pre-European game, in which, in addition, qualifying for EuroBasket would be easy (three out of four pass, and if one of them is Latvia , which is the host, the top two teams qualify together with the Baltic countries). But there was a thorn in Jakarta…

As soon as the last quarter began, Latvia lost Gražulis due to five fouls, including a technical by Banka (61-61). Scariolo, who knew that more important things were at stake than the qualifying match, the self-esteem of the star, He gave the key to ending the game to Ricky, who scored his first goal of the game three minutes before the end (66-68). His first three with a minute left also brought Spain into the game 71-73. The result wasn’t perfect, but there was no happier ending than his return to court. That’s enough for the film for now.