As Ricky Rubio plays for Spain in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifier, Emmett Ryan writes about the positive message it sends
Thursday night in Zaragoza is already going to be great. Latvia, one of the up-and-coming teams in international basketball, traveled to face a Spanish team that had something to celebrate before the ball tipped. The first match between the two players in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifier will mark Ricky Rubio’s return to basketball.
appropriate situation
When Ricky Rubio officially signed with FC Barcelona on February 6th, there was a small caveat. This date was necessary because the player registration period for that season’s EuroLeague closed the next day. When he will return, and under what circumstances, is up for debate.
Inserting Rubio into the Blaugrana’s lineup could disrupt FC Barcelona’s rhythm just before the suspension of the EuroLeague season. Then there was the matter of the Copa del Rey. It was simply impossible to manage Rubio’s comeback in a multi-day tournament where rhythms were often disrupted.
This break gave FC Barcelona the opportunity to work with Rubio so that when he is introduced he can fit into their rhythm and get into the right position. Still, it would be very useful to be able to give him a few reps before being sent off in an important game.
These games have low stakes
To the untrained eye, Ricky Rubio’s first fight back in an international qualifier might not look all that different from the alternate fight above. The thing is, this is basically an uptempo friendly song.
There are four teams in Group C of the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers, with the top three teams qualifying. Barring an unthinkable upset, we already know who will qualify. Spain, Latvia and Belgium should all overtake Slovakia and leave them in positions that cannot be missed. I don’t mean to be harsh on Slovakia, but this is just realism.
They have some impressive wins against Romania since last summer, but they are not in the same class as the other teams in this group. Latvia did not qualify for the last EuroBasket, but finished fifth in the recent FIBA World Cup. Spain won EuroBasket 2022 and it is literally Spain. Belgium has advanced to the knockout stages in each of the past five tournaments, last time defeating Spain in the group stage. In contrast, Slovakia has never reached the finals of EuroBasket or any other FIBA tournament since its separation from the Czech Republic/Czech Republic in 1993. Don’t expect Eurobasket 2025 to break that trend.
These are as low a risk as the in-season environment requires in timing a return.
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what to expect
There’s no doubt that Ricky Rubio is hungry for this. He wouldn’t be human if he wasn’t at least a little nervous, but I think that nervousness will wear off quickly. Zaragoza fans are knowledgeable and passionate about basketball. They want to give him the warmest possible welcome.
As for on the court. Sergio Scariolo is a shrewd manager and will watch this game in conjunction with Sunday’s away game against Belgium as important preparation for the Olympic qualifying tournament. In Rubio’s case, that means he’s not shy about using him. I’d definitely bet on him starting, but it’s also possible he could be brought in about midway through the first quarter.
Scariolo is as knowledgeable as an operator in European basketball. He also has a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the game in Spain. His cultural ties to Spanish basketball have helped him understand the rhythm despite being mostly Italian. He is well-positioned to manage the first steps of Rubio’s return to the sport.
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Yes, it’s more than basketball.
I’ve already written about the impact of Ricky Rubio openly addressing his mental health struggles. His return will be a special moment to watch for all basketball fans.
Sure, there’ll be a pregame intro, but once he steps on the court, it’s going to be something else. That first pass, that first dime, it’s going to be a different hit. Many of us have watched Rubio since he was a teenager. He had a youthful joy in this sport, competing against men and being an affiliated athlete. He has developed into a player who entertains and coaches.
Now, basketball is back on his terms. This is a moment when we fans can share our joy. It’s a moment of hope and I’m not going to let it pass.
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