February 04, 2012
World Championship team profile: Spain
Ricky RubioAs both the defending world and European champions, Spain heads to Turkey as a major contender to reach the top of the medals podium. Many of the same players who won the last World Championships in Japan four years ago - including current Euroleague champion and All-Euroleague first-team selection Juan Carlos Navarro of Regal FC Barcelona - are back to lead Spain in Turkey. They are again under the baton of head coach Sergio Scariolo of Khimki Moscow Region, who guided them to last summer's European title. Despite the absence of star big man Pau Gasol and a slight generational shift, there is no doubt that Spain's continuity, talent and leadership make it one of the tournament's favorites.

#
 Name
Pos.
H.
4
 Fernando San Emeterio
F
199
5
 Rudy Fernandez
F
195
6
 Ricky Rubio
G
190
7
 Juan Carlos Navarro
G
192
8
 Raul Lopez
G
182
9
 Felipe Reyes
C
206
10
 Victor Claver
F
205
11
 Fran Vazquez
C
209
12
 Sergio Llull
G
190
13
 Marc Gasol
C
215
14
 Alex Mumbru
F
202
15
 Jorge Garbajosa
F
204
Head Coach: Sergio Scariolo
The ambitiously talented Spanish backcourt will pace this team's lofty hopes. Barcelona teammates Navarro and Ricky Rubio, the Euroleague's Rising Star Trophy winner, will be joined by Rudy Fernandez as perhaps the most dangerous offensive trio in the championships. A late injury to veteran floor general Jose Manuel Calderon means that young Sergio Llull of Real Madrid will need to step up to assure Spain of steady weaponry on the perimeter. Another key comes at small forward, where veteran Alex Mumbru will be joined by Fernando San Emeterio of Caja Laboral, one of the Euroleague's headiest players last season. Rising star Victor Claver of Power Electronics Valencia will probably swing between forward spots due to his all-around talent and the calming presence of veteran Jorge Garbajosa of Real Madrid at the power spot. At center, Scariolo will rely on Marc Gasol for inside scoring in the absence of his brother. Felipe Reyes of Real Madrid and Fran Vazquez of Barcelona assure rebounding, defense and blocked shots between them whether subbing or playing alongside Gasol. A player for every purpose and a coach who knows how to use each one mean that Spain has all the tools, once again, to reach for the stars.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Euroleague.net
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