ESP - Spain are the team to beat at EuroBasket 2007

MADRID (EuroBasket 2007) - FIBA World Champions Spain will go from being the hunter to the hunted when they run onto the court for EuroBasket 2007.

That's one of the ramifications of winning this year's FIBA World Championship.

Before capturing the title in Japan, Spain were giants in the game without a gold medal.

They had won silver at Olympic Games, and EuroBaskets, but never gold.

"Because we are world champions, the way our rivals will see us will be somewhat different, although at the World Championship, we were perceived to be among the favourites to win the world title," said coach Pepu Hernandez.

At Thursday's draw in Madrid, Spain were pooled with Latvia, Croatia and Portugal.

Spain face an intriguing showdown with Croatia, the team they beat in the last eight at EuroBasket 2005 to secure a place in Japan.

"Croatia have a very good project and they are very competitive rivals, while Latvia always create problems for their rivals and I'm pretty certain Portugal will be a great rival," he said.

There is not much, if anything at all, to dislike about Hernandez's squad.

It's young, deep and very athletic.

Pau Gasol and Jorge Garbajosa made the all-tournament team in Japan, and captain Carlos Jimenez is a warhorse at forward.

Hernandez has a backcourt which includes Juan Carlos Navarro, Jose Manuel Calderon, Sergio Rodriguez and Carlos Cabezas.

Alex Mumbru, Rudy Fernandez and Berni Rodriguez are on the wings.

There is also the prospect of Fran Vazquez returning.

The young center missed this summer's tournament through injury, and that opened the door for Marc Gasol, Pau's younger brother, to play in Japan and make a major contribution.

"I have a very good team at my disposal," Hernandez admitted.

There are question marks once again regarding Gasol, who is recovering from a foot operation.

He is missing the start of the NBA campaign.

"I hope (Pau Gasol) can recover physically but also mentally from being off the court for such a long period without playing basketball," Hernandez said.
With or without Gasol, Spain will be good.

Remember, they thrashed Greece in world title game with Gasol watching from the bench.

"I think my players will want to repeat the same emotions they experienced in Japan," Hernandez said.

"Their aim was to give their maximum at the World Championship and to clinch qualification for the Olympics, but also to participate in the EuroBasket we will host next summer."

Spain are still a cause celebre from Madrid to Barcelona and all over the country.

The team was just handed the Principe de Asturias award - the most prestigious award handed out annually in Spain by the Prince of Spain, Felipe.

Hernandez spoke on the federation's official website keeping the momentum going.

"We have a responsibility," he said. "I think basketball in Spain has always had a following, but the World Championship has been a wake-up call for those who have been a little bit distracted."

As for following up this year's achievement, Hernandez said: "We cannot face this EuroBasket 2007 with a different approach to that of the World Championship."

By Jeff Taylor, PA Sport, Exclusively for FIBA