PODGORICA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Qualifiers) - Spain has long been considered home to one of the best domestic leagues in Europe, the Liga Endesa (ACB).

Now the quality of that competition, at least as it relates to Spanish players, will be put to the test in the country's FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers opener at Montenegro on Friday.

None of the 12 players that featured in coach Sergio Scariolo's side that faced Montenegro in the Group Phase of the FIBA EuroBasket the Group Phase will be in uniform.

One player that will suit up, Fran Vazquez, is someone Spain fans will be expecting big things from. The 34-year-old Vazquez excelled with the national team at FIBA EuroBasket 2005 and also played for the Scariolo-coached Spanish side at the 2010 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Turkey.

"I come with a lot of enthusiasm," Vazquez said. "We have two difficult games and I want to help my teammates to do a good job."

Spain will follow up the clash with Montenegro with a game at home in Burgos against Slovenia.

Scariolo coached Spain to victory over Montenegro at EuroBasket 2017

In addition to Vazquez is one of his EuroBasket 2005 teammates, Sergi Vidal, and a veteran campaigner in the league, Albert Oliver.

"Albert Oliver and Sergi Vidal have lived a lot of basketball," Vazquez said. "Next to us, there are young people who are eager to show that they are here on their own merits. If we can help with our experience ... perfect. "

A stroke of bad luck hit Spain, though, right before their preparations tipped off in Guadalajara, about 60km from Madrid, with Javier Beiran pulling out due to an injury. In his place, Scariolo drafted in promising small forward Jonathan Barreiro, a member of the country's squad that finished fourth at the U20 European Championship in Greece.

Then on Monday, after the players arrived for training, Zaragoza's Alex Suarez had to pull out of the squad because of the sprained ankle he'd suffered on Saturday in Liga Endesa action. Pere Tomas has been called in as a replacement.

Montenegro, also missing players from their EuroBasket squad, will be fired up and looking to get new coach Zvezden Mitrovic a win in his first game with the senior team at the Sports Center Moracu. Mitrovic has coached a Montenegro 'A' team and also served as an assistant on the senior team. He has enhanced his credentials as a coach with French side AS Monaco Basket.

Blagota Sekulic, who has spent the past several years competing in Spain, says the visiting team must not be underestimated even if they are missing prominent players from the past.

"Spain comes without players who play in the EuroLeague, in a changed composition than what they were in the summer at the EuroBasket," he said.

"(But) they have made a good mix of very experienced players and some young players with promising careers."

As for who should win, Sekulic said: "I think we are not favorites, but we have a chance, that with a smart game, a great fighting spirit and I hope with a full Moracu, we'll spring a surprise."

Key Matchups: Montenegro point guard Nikola Ivanovic will be looking to make more of an impact in the World Cup Qualifier than he did in the EuroBasket game against Spain when he failed to score and had a couple of assists in 11 minutes. Depending on how things go in their short preparations, Scariolo may opt to give a starting nod or at least significant minutes to Oliver of Herbalife Gran Canaria.

Key Stats: Playmaker Nikola Pavlicevic had 13 points for Montenegro in the EuroBasket game so look for him to be ready to go for Mitrovic's team. That clash in Cluj-Napoca was the first one between Spain and Montenegro. Nemanja Radovic could be a danger man although that should not catch Spain off guard. The 2.08m forward is averaging more than 10.4ppg and 6.4rpg for Monbus Obradoiro, who have had a fast start in the Liga Endesa with seven wins in nine games.