ESP - Pepu frets over Garbajosa injury

MADRID (EuroBasket 2007) - Spain coach Pepu Hernandez is already worrying about the impact of Jorge Garbajosa's absence at this year's EuroBasket in Spain.

Garbajosa, a rookie with the Toronto Raptors, suffered a season-ending injury last week that required an operation and is now extremely doubtful for national team duty later this year.

"It's going to be difficult not to have him for the EuroBasket," said Hernandez. "We will have to monitor his recovery. But it seems as though it is a complicated situation."

Spain are deep and talented, and were able to overcome the loss of Pau Gasol to beat Greece in the gold medal game of last year's FIBA World Championship in Japan.

Garbajosa, who made the all-tournament team in Japan, is just as important as Gasol because of his tenacity under the basket, his excellent long-range shooting ability and fast-breaking ability.

"Of course, it complicates my plans because Jorge is a very difficult player to replace due to his technical and tactical characteristics," Hernandez said.

"It would be a significant absence for us but I will have to find other solutions."

Fran Vazquez missed last year's tournament with a back injury and could step in, although he does not possess the perimeter skills of Garbajosa.

Vazquez's Barcelona team-mate, Jordi Trias, the most valuable player of this year's Copa del Rey, is another possibility.

Cindy Garcia-Bennett
FIBA