ESP - Boss gives Spain thumbs-up after Alicante triumph
ALICANTE (FIBA World Championship) - Pepu Hernandez applauded a much-improved performance from his Spain side after watching them clinch the Torneo Comunitat Valenciana. Hernandez`s troops continued beat two-time defending world champions Serbia & Montenegro 89-62 in Monday`s final.
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ALICANTE (FIBA World Championship) - Pepu Hernandez applauded a much-improved performance from his Spain side after watching them clinch the Torneo Comunitat Valenciana.
Hernandez's troops continued their preparations for this month's FIBA World Championship by beating defending world champions Serbia & Montenegro 89-62 in Monday`s final.
The coach was critical of the display in Sunday's opening win over Angola but was sufficiently impressed by Monday`s win.
"Had the game been closer, we would have found extra strength but I am nevertheless pleased with the focus of the team throughout the game," he said.
"The players are eager to run and to defend. The only thing we are lacking is to react more quickly but I am happy with the effort shown by the team."
Spain were on top from the off, Juan Carlos Navarro leading the way with 14 first-half points.
He added only a single point in the second, matching the tally of team-mate Pau Gasol.
Darko Milicic had 19 points and nine rebounds for Serbia & Montenegro, who lost for the first time all summer.
By PA Sport
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