ESP - Fernandez upbeat about national team’s chances

MADRID (EuroBasket/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Rudy Fernandez is firmly focused on reaching his best level of play in time for this summer's EuroBasket.

Bothered by back injuries this past season with Real Madrid, the 28-year-old nevertheless played well enough to earn All-Euroleague First Team honors and helped his club capture the Spanish title.

Fernandez has been a prominent member of the Spanish teams since their gold-medal triumph at the 2006 FIBA World Championship, and with Juan Carlos Navarro and Pau Gasol not playing this year in Slovenia, Fernandez has an opportunity to stand out even more.

He firmly believes Spain have a chance of capturing a third straight title in the competition.

"I think we can be a very competitive team, despite all of our casualties," he said.

"Marc Gasol (the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year) is going to be our reference and that's a guarantee of success.

"The recent victory of the Spanish women's national team in France will certainly inspire us to do the same this summer."

Fernandez is currently at his basketball camp, coaching 185 kids.

Spain veteran Jose Manuel Calderon and women's national team star Alba Torrens will also make appearances at the camp.

"I want to provide kids with an unforgettable experience," said Fernandez.

Spain coach Juan Antonio Orenga is expected to announce his EuroBasket squad next week and Fernandez will no doubt be among those in the group.

The national team training camp gets underway in late July in Madrid.

Spain, silver medalists at last year's Olympics, won gold in the last two EuroBaskets.

They will play in Group C of the competition against host Slovenia, Poland, Croatia, Georgia and the Czech Republic.

FIBA