MADRID (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - There's often talk about teams holding back something in a game if they think they might see the team again later in the competition.

Spain star Rudy Fernandez is pretty sure that the hosts must be ready for surprises from France in their second encounter in Wednesday's Quarter-Final of the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

"Sometimes in the group phase match-ups, you don't want to show everything because you might see those teams down the road and you still need to surprise them. I'm sure they (France) will bring new things to the table and we need to be ready for them," said Fernandez. 

The element of surprise might be the thing that gives that edge you need to get wins at this stage - Fernandez

"Every game is different and as a team you need to shake things up a bit, because five games in, the other teams have you pretty well scouted. So, of course you need to change things here and there."

France played Spain tough for about half of their group stage game before the host nation pulled away for an 88-64 win.

"Now we'll face a France team that we know will be stronger than the one we saw in the group phase. We have to be at our best," said Fernandez, who has played his strong all-around game, averaging 9.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game.

The Real Madrid guard said the team can see their goal in the not-so-distant future but they cannot lose sight of where they are now.

"Of course we want the title. We have the talent and experience to do it. But, it is not a sure thing. Games have to be played and we need to think one game at a time to eventually end up with the possibility of winning the championship in front of our fans, which would be incredible."

First though, they have to avoid a French surprise. 

FIBA