ESP – No replacing Pau

MADRID (2010 FIBA World Championship) - Sergio Scariolo wanted to make one thing clear on Wednesday after announcing the national squad that he had trimmed from 24 to 15 players.

There are no replacements for Pau Gasol.

Fran Vazquez, a lean, 6ft 11in dunking, shot-blocking and rebounding machine, was included in the latest group of players but Scariolo said: "To think that anyone can substitute Pau Gasol is not right because Pau is a great player.

"The reports that with Pau out, Fran is in, are absolutely mistaken.

"We are talking about the best player in the history of Spanish basketball."

Gasol, who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, announced before the NBA finals he wouldn't play this summer because of the need to rest.

"Nevertheless, I'm very happy to return to work with Fran,” Scariolo said.

"Fran is more mature and arrives to a group that is also more mature.

"The problems with Fran have been resolved with patience and good will."

If no single player can fill the void for Gasol, Scariolo does believe there is a way for Spain to win without their basketball icon, just as they did four years ago in Japan when injury knocked their seven-footer out of the Final against Greece.

"In order to replace Pau, the team will need to show more compromise and more team unity," Scariolo said.

"From a talent standpoint, it is impossible but we have to maintain a united group.

"I personally feel a lot of confidence with the players that will play in that role.

"My aim is to make a group.

"To act that way on and off the court is a priority value that the players have proved.

"We want players that want to play for the team, where everyone knows what their role will be. "

FIBA