ESP - Backcourt a true Spanish armada

LJUBLJANA (EuroBasket/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - There are some very good backcourts at EuroBasket 2013 in Slovenia.

The Slovenians are led by Goran Dragic and France have Tony Parker.

There are plenty of excellent guards.

The backcourt has been without a doubt the strength of Spain's team so far, allowing them to win four of their five games and finish first in Group C in Celje.

Juan Antonio Orenga is the head coach of the national side for the first time after serving as an assistant coach to Sergio Scariolo and guards Jose Calderon, Sergio Rodriguez, Ricky Rubio and Sergio Llull have helped him enjoy a seamless transition to the top job.

Spain remained fresh in the First Round, with Orenga shuffling players in and out.

"In this first group, it's been a key for us to manage the rotation," Rodriguez said to FIBA.com.

"It's five games in six days, and we've got good balance. I think we are in a good position to start the second group, which will be even tougher."

Calderon has played nearly as well as he did in 2007, when he probably would have been the EuroBasket MVP had Spain won the gold medal.

Llull, who broke into the team in 2009 when Spain won their first EuroBasket gold medal in Poland, has been a spark coming off the bench on both offense and defense.

Rodriguez and Rubio have been terrific, too.

They have a lot in common.

Both were leading players in Spain's youth team set-up and joined the senior team very early in their careers.

Pepu Hernandez called Rodriguez into the squad in 2006, and he helped them capture the world title in Japan.

Aito Garcia Reneses, who coached Rubio at Joventut Badalona, brought him into the side at the 2008 Olympics.

While Rodriguez left for the NBA after Japan before returning to Europe to play for Real Madrid, Rubio waited a few years after the Beijing Games before entering the NBA Draft and playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Unlike Rodriguez, he received a lot of playing time from the off in the NBA and is now one of the best young playmakers in the league.

Rodriguez wasn't selected from 2008 through 2011 but his performances for Real Madrid the past two years have been excellent and he's had a major impact in his return to the squad.

In last year's Olympic Final against the United States, Rodriguez was outstanding.

Orenga is clearly happy with both because he is giving each a lot of playing time.

"I feel very comfortable playing with the national team," Rodriguez said, "playing with the best in Spain and I feel very confident in my game, and my teammates."

The biggest concern about Rubio a few years ago was his jumper.

His shooting has been excellent in Slovenia so far.

He has made 51.5% of his attempts from inside the arc and 60% (three of five) beyond it.

Against Georgia, Rubio made all seven of his attempts from the floor, and most were jumpers, including one three-pointer.

"There are things that I'm working on that I want to improve day by day," Rubio said, "and one of them is the shot.

"A great part of success is confidence but the other is work and that is paying off."

The coach has made a good impression on the players.

"He's doing pretty well," Rodriguez said.

"He's very quiet, he controls the tempo and the rotations are good because we have to manage so many games in so few days so we'll be ready.

"I think we're in a good position to start the second round."

It remains to be seen if the one defeat that Spain suffered, on Day 2 to hosts Slovenia, costs them a spot in the Quarter-Finals.

Spain led for much of the contest but roared on by the home crowd, Slovenia took the lead in the fourth quarter and won, 79-68.

After Spain's final game, an 83-59 romp against Georgia, Rubio talked about that setback.

"The game against Slovenia was a wake-up call," he said, "that we have to be more aggressive on defense in order to control a game and telling us that if we don't play as we know how, anyone can beat us.

"We've had a good first round. The key of this team has been defense and to play as a group. We only had one setback and of course, we don't like to lose but it's better to get that out of the way than further ahead."

Rodriguez admits it would have been ideal to carry two wins into the second phase of the competition.

"It's important, but that's how it is," he said.

"We can't change what's in the past, we have to be focused on the next three games."

The defense has been very good overall, but at times in the half court on offense, Spain have not found a rhythm.

Rodriguez, when asked about the biggest challenge on the offensive end, answered: "Trying to play together. For us, to play better offense, we need start with the defense. If we defend well, rebound, it's easier for us. We have so many players that can run, make shots.

Spain won't be taking any of their opponents lightly in in Slovenia.

In the Second Round, they face Greece, Finland and Italy.

"We have to be patient because this second round is not going to be easy," Rubio said.

"Finland are good and they have proved that by qualifying for this round. It is going to be difficult but we are prepared."

"I'm looking forward to playing in the next round," Rodriguez said.

FIBA