ARG – “One on one” with Sergio Hernandez

LAS VEGAS (FIBA Americas Championship 2007) - Sergio Hernandez is proud, and there’s a reason for it. He, practically, had to reconfigure a new team after the World Championship in Japan because of the absences of Ginobili, Oberto, Nocioni, Sanchez, Wolkowyski, Herrmann, Fernandez, and Farabello. Not that it mattered too much, since the team is playing very well. A whole achivement for a coach to presume of. 

The last 15 minutes today could be a sign of things to come if they face Brazil in the Semi-finals on Saturday. It seems as if Brazil couldn’t deal with the pressure.

Are they things to have in mind for the upcoming game?

I don’t know. On Saturday, both of the teams will be in the same situation if we face each other; the need to win, the fear of losing. Today, the pressure was in only one of the teams, which was Brazil. We played with serenity. When they stopped playing hard against us, and we were down by 14, we came back into the game and they found themselves with fear and uncertainty. When that happened, they ran out of offensive options.

Today, the strategy was more yours than of the players?

We wanted to have a simple game; nothing special against Brazil. You have to keep in mind that Brazil is a very dangerous team.

Are they as dangerous today?

Maybe less than before, but you can get comfortable around them. You’re not supposed to that against any team, but with them you have to be more careful.

Is it hard for your to find some rest for Delfino, who played a lot today, and who’s a forward, which is the position for which you have less players available?

No, it doesn’t have anything to do with rest, because tomorrow we’ll play at 9 o’clock and we’ll have a free day on Friday. He had time enough to rest in the NBA.

Fabian Garcia
FIBA Americas