SKOPJE (North Macedonia) - The defending FIBA Basketball World Cup champions Spain started their new run, one which Sergio Scariolo didn't want to call a "title defense," with a comfortable 94-65 win on the road in North Macedonia.

Any hopes of catching Spain on the wrong foot disappeared at the end of the first half. Spain scored the last points of the second quarter to take the air out of the building in Skopje, building an 11-point lead, and then continued in the same direction in the third quarter, with a 7-0 start that pointed their ship to another win.

"We kept them at 41 percent from the field, forced 14 turnovers, and grabbed nine rebounds more than them. Those are good numbers," Spain head coach Sergio Scariolo said, before offering a bigger picture.

Spain won the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019. They are proud to be called the world champs. But...

"At the same time, I don't think we are defending anything, everybody starts from zero. We are not qualified for the World Cup, even being world champions. Everybody starts from scratch," Scariolo explained.

Starting from scratch has another meaning for Spain. The Gasols are no longer around, the golden generation has done its part and now it's time to build something new. Jaime Pradilla, Yankuba Sima and Dani Perez were the three players who made their national team debuts on Friday, Sima being the most dominant with 15 points and 7 rebounds in just 17 minutes of work.

But it was another youngster who stole the attention in Jane Sandanski sports center. North Macedonia's 17-year-old Teodor Simic, 2.10m (6ft 11in) stretch big had 18 points in 16 minutes before fouling out.

"We knew he was a good player, a big team like Barcelona doesn't give scholarships for free, right?" Scariolo smiled.

"He is a really good shooter, he's got the strength in his body for the position he plays, and I am really pleased with his game, I can foresee a bright future. He is probably going to become a really good player. He is already a good player."

Spain will keep importing younger players from their system that keeps gathering medals in FIBA Youth Events, but that doesn't mean Scariolo and his staff will be just happy to participate, or that reaching the World Cup will be enough for them now that the big names are no longer with the national team.

Promoting new guys, while fighting for medals, that's what's in store for Scariolo in the build up for 2023.

"We have young players to put in, semi-young players to develop, to make them become more and more important. We have many goals and clear targets in front of us. But at the same time, we want to keep being competitive, moreover, have our fans be proud of our team, like they've been for so many consecutive years. It doesn't mean we're going to be the same, it would be a little bit arrogant to say that, but being humble, we can still be competitive."

With the way they handled North Macedonia, being competitive won't be a problem for this lineup. Up next for them, a much bigger test, at home in Jaen. Tornike Shengelia, Giorgi Shermadini, Thad McFadden and the rest of team Georgia are coming to town.

Only one team will remain unbeaten in the group after that one.

FIBA