GUADALAJARA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - The chance to represent Spain in international basketball in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Qualifiers at Montenegro on Friday and at home against Slovenia on Sunday is an opportunity of a lifetime for 16 players called up by coach Sergio Scariolo.

Among them is Jaime Fernandez, a 24-year-old point guard who represented Spain at youth level and plays for MoraBanc Andorra. He's been at the training camp in Guadalajara, Spain, ahead of the games.

There will be no NBA superstars in the Spain side this time. In their place are players willing to give everything for their country and looking for a chance to prove their worth in international basketball. 

"To wear this jersey means a lot," Fernandez declared. "We have a great a responsibility. But it's clear that Slovenia and Montenegro, Belarus (the other team in First Round Group A) are strong and we have to forget about being favorites and remember what shirt we wear and give our all."

Xabi Lopez-Arostegui has dreamed of having the opportunity to play for Spain's senior team for a long, long time. He was nine years old when Pau Gasol, Juan Carlos Navarro and Jorge Garbajosa led Spain to being crowned world champions in 2006.

Coming off a summer when he played for Spain at the U20 European Championship, Lopez-Arostegui now finds himself in the senior squad.

"I am very happy," he said. "I've been lucky to be with the national team since the U14s but I didn't expect this moment to arrive and so soon."

Spain have competed for titles and podium finishes at every tournament since the turn of the century. It has been Europe's dominant program, collecting medals at EuroBaskets, World Cups and Olympic Games.

"WE ARE RESPECTED, WE ARE ONE OF THE BEST NATIONAL TEAMS IN THE WORLD. ONCE YOU PUT THAT SPAIN JERSEY ON, YOU HAVE TO GIVE YOUR ALL TO TRY TO WIN." Lopez-Arostegui

To reach the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China, Scariolo's team must first finish in the top three of Group A to advance to the Second Round of the Qualifiers. Points will carry over from the First Round, so every game is crucial.

Montenegro will be tough and European champions Slovenia will have several members of their EuroBasket 2017-title winning team.

"Slovenia is the current European champion and the coach (Slovenia's Rado Trifunovic) comes from a country that has a lot of basketball tradition," Lopez-Arostegui said.

Xavi Rabaseda, another of the 16 players, has come close to making a Spain team for a major event before yet just missed out. On the books of Herbalife Gran Canaria, the 28-year-old was once a Barcelona player. He also turned out for Fuenlabrada and Estudiantes.

"We have competitive players of a high level that play in the second best league (Liga Endesa) in the world and we will try to prove that we have the potential to win these two games."

While the training period will go very fast, Fernandez thinks it's enough time to get Spain ready. 

"We have to adapt to many things and many changes," he said, "but it's easy because we all understand each other."

Lopez-Arostegui summed up the mindset of each and every one of the 16 players.

"Our aim is to win all the games," he said. "We are respected, we are one of the best national teams in the world. Once you put that Spain jersey on, you have to give your all to try to win."

FIBA