WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CANADA 1994
The coach, Guiseppe Gierga was unable to cure the ills that had prevented the team from
reaching the final of the previous European championship. Excessive individualism and a lack of
discipline combined in a team that played below the level that its talent promised. Despite all this
Croatia had no difficulties in topping their second round group with insulting ease. The differences
by which they won their three matches averaged at over 30 points and they went into the semi
finals full of self-confidence. They were accompanied by Greece who won a difficult match against
the hosts in which, judging from the reaction of the crowd, seemed to be played in Athens. This
provoked the logical complaint of the Canadian coach Ken Shields, “I accept that there are large
Greek, Croat and Chinese colonies in Toronto but it is difficult to accept that you can not get the
support of your own public”. He was fully justified in his complaint as the Canadian public adopted
the Dream Team II as their own and turned their backs on the Canadian team.
The NBA boys continued their triumphant run, but were losing the battle against their past.
Although they crushed Australia (130-74), Puerto Rico (134-83) and Russia (111-94) the memory
of their predecessors in Barcelona always came back to haunt them. This unequal fight against a
myth, an unrepeatable situation such as that lived two years before and comparisons only
increased the bad mood of the American players, undermined Don Nelson's authority and
increased the criticism of the group's off-court behaviour. The FIBA commissioner himself had to
call them to order and remind them that the prestige of the organisation was in their hands.
Russia was the complete opposite to the USA. They lacked the talent and the physical strength of
the Americans but were far better in tactical discipline and had much more will to play in a world
championship. Sergei Belov took full advantage of his team's strengths and the fact that the
squad was a perfect combination of youth and experience. After convincing victories over Puerto
Rico (101-85) and Australia (103-76) the Russians went into the match against the USA with no
complexes of any kind. They intended to enjoy the game and put on a good show for the
spectators. Not only did they succeed in both aims but their simple but efficient play gave the
Americans more than a few problems and the USA needed all their firepower to win the match.
NEITHER DREAM NOR TEAM
The semi finals offered two very different spectacles, one a bland, emotionless victory for the USA
over Greece and the other an exciting, tight match between Russia and Croatia. Don Nelson
shared the minutes evenly between his players to win the place in the final (97-58) whereas
Greece, aware that they had no chance in the match, reserved their energies for the bronze medal
game to be played the next day.
Russia and Croatia gave their all in the other semi final. The Croats Radja, Komacek and Kukov
along with the Russians Kissourin, Babkov, Bazarevich and Mijailov all played for over thirty
minutes each. They would notice the fatigue the following day but neither of them had the gold in
mind, for them this was their real final.
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FUNDACIÓN PEDRO FERRÁNDIZ