ESP - Spain receive Prince De Asturias Award

OVIEDO (Prince of Asturias Awards) - Spain’s national team has collected the prestigious Prince of Asturias sports award after winning the FIBA World Championship earlier this summer.

Spain beat Greece 70-47 in Saitama, Japan on September 3, and their performance that night drew special praise for the teamwork displayed.

The award was presented at a glittering ceremony in Oviedo on Friday night, with the vast majority of the victorious roster on hand - including NBA star Pau Gasol, who was given special permission from the Memphis Grizzlies to travel to Spain.

"To receive this award gives you a different feeling to playing a game. We are extremely happy and I am delighted that my team has given me permission to be here today," Gasol said.

The only members of the gold medal-winning team unable to attend were Gasol’s fellow NBA players, Jorge Garbajosa and Jose Calderon of the Toronto Raptors, and Sergio Rodriguez of the Portland Trail Blazers, who remained North America for the pre-season.

The team also received an undisclosed sum of money with the award and Gasol announced they would donate the cash to UNICEF, the children’s charity for which he is an ambassador.

"To be able to donate the prize money to UNICEF is not only a sporting act but a humanitarian one," he added.

Coach Pepu Hernandez was delighted to gain the recognition of Crown Prince Felipe, heir to the Spanish throne.

"This is the confirmation of the fighting spirit and the sacrifice that the players showed at the World Championship,” Hernandez said.

Last year, the award was given to reigning Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso. Previous winners include seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong and 1500m and 2000m world record holder Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco.

PA Sport