Joel Parra: “This isn't the first time we've been underdogs and we've performed well.”

Joel Parra (04/IV/2000) is one of the players who played in the last Eurobasket, which Spain won in 2022. The forward, who renewed his contract with the Blaugrana club this summer until 2028, spoke to La Vanguardia before Spain's debut tomorrow in the European Championship against Georgia.

More than a coach All words of gratitude to Sergio Scariolo fall short.

In the national team, he has worked alongside great players who have defined an era, and now it's his turn to take a step forward.

I feel a responsibility to continue what both Llull and Rudy Fernández have instilled in us and to help young people as they did with me.

There have been many absences for this Eurobasket. How has this affected the team?

Injuries are part of our daily lives, although it's true that in this case it's been a bit complicated because I don't remember any summer that was like this.

What does the team need to improve for the Eurobasket?

We want to play a much faster and more attractive game. We know we don't have the talent we had in previous years. In these warm-up games, we've seen that we've struggled quite a bit on the defensive rebound and in turnovers, so we need to minimize our defensive errors.

FIBA places them as the eleventh favorite to win the trophy...

Honestly, we haven't even looked at it or discussed it among ourselves. We know the potential we have, what we can do, and the positive and negative aspects we have. We have 100% confidence in ourselves. I don't think this is the first time we've been underdogs and performed well in a competition like this. We were the last European champions; they also told us we were a weak team, and we ended up lifting the trophy. We have to go into it with the utmost enthusiasm and ambition, but remain humble.

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How do you assess the flight of young Spanish talent to the United States?

The truth is that it's complicated, for both the players and the clubs. The United States is coming with incredible strength, both financially and on a sporting and academic level. It's very difficult for clubs, not only in Spain but also in Europe, to retain these talents. I think in the end, a solution must be found for both parties, because the youth teams are very important in Spain, and it's difficult for them to continue investing if they know the young players are going to leave without any financial compensation.

Sergio Scariolo will leave the national team after the tournament to coach Real Madrid . Will it be difficult for him to face him?

All words of gratitude for Sergio fall short. I'm so grateful to him, not only for helping me change my mentality to cope with my physical changes, but also for giving me my debut with the national team, a dream I'd had since I was a little boy. He also made me a European champion. I will always be very grateful to him. It will be a bit strange to face him now, but that mutual respect will remain, even though each of us wants the best for our team.

You mentioned the physical change. What's the process been like, and how will it help your game?

It was a two-year process to radically change my habits and everything else. The physical change is the most obvious and what's visible from the outside, but there's a lot of work and a lot of energy behind it. I think this change will allow me to bring more energy, which has already been seen this year, and much more stamina. I'm sure I'll jump higher, run more, and be more agile. It's something that's good for me individually and will also be good for the national team and Barça collectively.

Willy Hernangómez recently said that he stopped enjoying basketball last season. Has that happened to you?

It hasn't happened to me, but I understand him perfectly. Willy is a very emotional player who came here to fulfill his dream of returning to Europe as an important player, and it's been two bad years for him both collectively and individually. This summer, I see him eager to show the player he is, and he's also made a radical change. I hope it's a good season for him.

You recently renewed your contract with Barça until 2028. Have you spoken with Joan Peñarroya?

I haven't had time to talk to Joan. We've seen each other, but we haven't spoken at all about next year because we're currently focused on the national team. But when we finish the European Championships, we'll definitely get together.

Basketball is the only professional division of Barça that's reducing its salary for the upcoming season, and results have not been good lately, partly due to injuries. Do you think the team has received a lot of unfair criticism?

I understand the frustration or anger of the Barça fans. When you're at a club like Barça, you're expected to win titles and reach as many finals as possible. It's true that at the beginning of the season, when we were all there, we started poorly. But once we were six or seven professional players, we held our own in many games. When we had so many absences, the team took a step forward and competed very well. It may sound like an excuse, but we were within striking distance of the Final Four with seven professional players, and that speaks volumes about our mentality. This year, touch wood, but there's no excuse; it will be the third year, and I think we have to win no matter what.