ESP – Garbajosa confirmed for Olympics after playing against Portugal

MADRID (Olympics) – Spain coach Aito Garcia Reneses on Saturday confirmed Jorge Garbajosa is in his final 12-strong squad for the Beijing Games.

The veteran power forward/center Garbajosa, who missed virtually the entire 2007-08 NBA campaign after an operation on his leg, played in Spain’s 84-35 friendly win over Portugal on Friday in Badajoz.

"Jorge Garbajosa is still lacking in the rhythm of competition, but his wisdom and style of play can be an ideal extra during the Olympic Tournament," Garcia Reneses said.

"We also hope his form will get better during the friendly games.”

Seventeen-year-old Ricky Rubio is also in the final squad and he played in the win over Portugal, pouring in nine points.

Victor Sada, Victor Claver and Juanjo Triguero had been with the Spain squad as possible additions but have been left out of the team for Beijing.

Spain Olympic squad: Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol, Rudy Fernandez, Ricky Rubio, Juan Carlos Navarro, Jose Manuel Calderon, Felipe Reyes, Raul Lopez, Alex Mumbru, Carlos Jimenez, Berni Rodriguez, Jorge Garbajosa.

FIBA