Juan Diego Tello is one of the figures Colombian Basketball Team that the second round of the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers which will be played in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines. the national team historically defeated Mexico and your next challenge will be USA on the way to reach the first orbital appointment for the country.
Tello, a 37-year-old center who is in the final phase of his career, spoke with the Carousel Snail about the present of the National Team, what it means to face the United States and the importance of keep the league professional by the Federation.
Regarding the challenge of facing a team like the United States, even without its main stars, he said: “When you hear that you are playing with the United States, the emotion is reflected in the box office, but we see the United States as a team that does not come with its superstars but yes with good players, we try not to see so much the name but we are 5 against 5 on courtIt is a team that plays very happily, with many possessions. Offensively we have to be successful and we can’t play at their rhythm, we have to calm down the game and play in the middle of the field”, he said.
For his part, regarding the team led by Guillermo Moreno, he commented: “The talent there is is impressive, It is the best representative team we have had and the virtue is that weight of doing something different, of making history. We are going to find teams and players who have the same level, but I don’t think they are as hungry as our team”.
Finally, he spoke about the importance of keeping the professional league: “Keeping basketball alive at a professional level is important, it is a reflection of the individual players who have managed to go out and play in the United States and Europe, it is important that the Federation continues to do this, I believe that with a longer league, more results would be seen at the international level, but all they are doing is an effort by the Federation to keep basketball more alive”.
Colombia is in last place in Group F with 10 points, after three wins and four losses. Therefore, a victory against the United States would be vital to close the fourth window in a favorable position to reach the World Cup, taking into account that three from each group qualify plus the best fourth to complete seven slots.
