ESP - Spain name 15-man preliminary squad

MADRID (FIBA World Championship) - Spain today unveiled their 15-man preliminary squad as they prepare to launch the defence of their crown at the 2010 FIBA World Championship.

Although Pau Gasol is missing, there are still plenty of star names in the group, with Marc Gasol, Rudy Fernandez, Jose Manuel Calderon and Ricky Rubio all included.

Sergio Llull, who this week signed a new contract with Real Madrid, is also in after shaking off a knee injury.

At a special celebration in Madrid, the president of the Spanish Basketball Federation, Jose Luis Saez, backed the players to succeed in Turkey.

"We have no fear," he said. "We respect all our opponents. The challenge is double. But in this team we have passion, enthusiasm and commitment. I have full confidence in the commitment of these players with this team, to further increase what may be a historical track record. We believe in Spain!"

Albert Soler, the general director of the Higher Council for Sport in Spain, added: "This is a new opportunity to implement the values of sport and basketball. Expectations are high, but the teams are also very strong.

Gold (at the EuroBasket) in 2009 ended a magic decade magic but this decade has begun with success in tennis and football and we hope that you do the same in basketball.

Luck is necessary but not essential because we are convinced of some great results."

The players are now heading to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to begin their training camp.

Spain preliminary squad for the FIBA World Championship: Carlos Suarez, Fernando San Emeterio, Rafa Martinez, Pablo Aguilar, Fran Vazquez, Sergio Llull, Víctor Claver, Ricky Rubio, Marc Gasol, Alex Mumbru, Rudy Fernandez, Jose Manuel Calderon, Felipe Reyes, Jorge Garbajosa, Juan Carlos Navarro.

FIBA