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VALENCIA (Jeff Taylor’s Eurovision) – Somos familia.
That’s the motto of the Spanish national team program that Dario Brizuela reminded us of over the weekend as Unicaja Malaga captured the Copa del Rey.
More important than starting the celebrations for Brizuela after Unicaja’s great triumph was to embrace Tenerife duo Fran Guerra and Jaime Fernandez, his Spain teammates.
ESTO TAMBIÉN ES BALONCESTO.
DarÃo Brizuela fue a saludar a todos los jugadores de Lenovo Tenerife @CB1939Canarias tras proclamarse CAMPEÓN de la #CopaACB. pic.twitter.com/JN4NW0yN0H
Somos Familia. We are family.
Brizuela and Fernandez were big contributors for Spain last summer when the country claimed a stunning EuroBasket triumph in Germany.
The Copa del Rey was no ordinary tournament for Brizuela.
His son, Bruno, born January 19, had to go into the intensive care unit due to complications.
Brizuela compartmentalized his emotions and played one of the best games of his career in the Quarter-Final against Barcelona on Thursday, an 89-87 Unicaja triumph.
The Basque Mamba poured in a game-high 27 points which, in the process, made him Unicaja’s all-time leading scorer in the history of the Copa del Rey.
Afterwards, though, he spoke about the hellish time he’d endured.
“These have been the worst days of my life, starting last week,” he said. “My son is in the ICU. He’s fine now, recovered, but we’ve had a very bad time, both my wife and my family.
“I was in doubt about whether to come or not, but my colleagues were supporting me. They’ve been with me, also my family. All the bad things I had (inside) came out today.”
Support is what he got from Unicaja after the win over Barcelona.
“He’s an incredibly strong person,” said teammate Alberto Diaz, another of Spain’s EuroBasket heroes. “It has its reward. He played a magnificent game.
“When we have needed him, he’s been there. Thanks to him we’ve passed the round.”
Fernandez, Brizuela, Diaz and Sebas Saez helped Spain win FIBA EuroBasket 2022
Brizuela had just one point in the next game, a 93-82 upset of Real Madrid, and then seven as Unicaja edged their all-BCL Final against Tenerife, 83-80. His performance against Barcelona, however, had given Unicaja a platform to build on.
They went on a title run that no one had seen coming.
“I dedicate it to my son and especially to my wife because she is there,” he said.
“She is enduring this alone and supporting me every day.”Â
#LaCopadeBRUNO
Gracias a todo el mundo por el cariño y apoyo que hemos recibido mi familia y yo. No lo olvidaremos 💜💚 https://t.co/YApb5nqw8P
As Spain have already clinched a spot in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, Brizuela will not play upcoming European Qualifiers at Iceland on Thursday and then at home in Caceres against Italy on Sunday.
He’ll be with his family.
Brizuela was still processing everything on Sunday night as the cava flowed.
“I’m happy and excited, assimilating the emotions that I carry inside and very happy for my teammates,” he said.
“I’ve been with my head in two places and without the help of my colleagues, I wouldn’t have been here. I owe it all to them. I’m eternally grateful to them.”
Jeff Taylor
FIBA
FIBA’s columnists write on a wide range of topics relating to basketball that are of interest to them. The opinions they express are their own and in no way reflect those of FIBA.
FIBA takes no responsibility and gives no guarantees, warranties or representations, implied or otherwise, for the content or accuracy of the content and opinion expressed in the above article.
Jeff Taylor, a North Carolina native and UNC Chapel Hill graduate, has been a journalist since 1990. He started covering international basketball after moving to Europe in 1996. Jeff provides insight and opinion every week about players and teams on the old continent that are causing a buzz.
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