ESP - Marc Gasol: ‘We’re not the only ones that have come to Beijing wanting gold’

BEIJING (Olympics) - Marc Gasol’s fortunes on the basketball court improved dramatically two years ago when former Spain coach Pepu Hernandez called the seven-footer into the national squad as a replacement for back-injury victim Fran Vazquez.

Having received just limited time on the court for Barcelona in the 2005-06 ACB and Euroleague campaigns, Gasol travelled to Japan with Hernandez’s team and played a vital role coming off the bench to help the Spaniards capture gold at the FIBA World Championship.

Returning to Spain to play for Akasvayu Girona, Gasol’s confidence soared.

“The World Championship allowed me to develop my game,” Gasol said.

“It gave me motivation to see where I was, what I wanted to do, what my goal was.”

Gasol won a EuroCup crown in 2007 with Girona and this year earned the honor as the MVP of the Spanish ACB.

Next season, Gasol will follow in his older brother Pau’s footsteps and play for the Memphis Grizzlies.

Marc Gasol spoke to FIBA.com this week after practice at the Wukesong Arena where he and his teammates will meet Greece on Sunday.

FIBA: How does this experience compare to two years ago in Japan when you first joined the national team?

Gasol: This is the Olympics and I'm a rookie at this. The experience is different as we live in the Olympic Village and you get to share time with other athletes from other sports.

FIBA: Has the experience lived up to your expectations so far?

Gasol: It's more than I imagined. It's just so much more impressive. I'm surprised at the number of people and athletes that are there. It is just wonderful.

FIBA: This Olympic tournament looks as if it will be the most competitive of all time. How important will it be to get off to a good start?

Gasol: We have to go at it from the start. We have to play strong from the first minute. We have a lot of experience and a lot of motivation to step up. We want to start playing as soon as possible.

FIBA: What has changed in the national team since last year, when Spain finished runners-up at the EuroBasket in Madrid?

Gasol: We have Jorge Garbajosa who is fully fit. But we don't depend on one player. Everyone is important in the team. Everyone can give something else to the team in a given game.

FIBA: Marc, you were so inspirational coming off the bench in Japan two years ago. You finished as the most valuable player this season in the ACB. How do you think your role has changed with the national team?

Gasol: It doesn't matter whether you start or finish the game. The World Championship allowed me to develop my game, it gave me motivation to see where I was, what I wanted to do, what my goal was.

FIBA: Spain have a challenge on opening day when you meet Greece – the team you beat in the world title game and twice last year at the EuroBasket. How difficult is that game going to be?

Gasol: Greece is a very good team with a lot of experience. I know Greece want to beat us so it's going to be an interesting game.

FIBA: Are you looking forward to playing against Team USA, and coming up against players who you will be facing next year when you play in the NBA?

Gasol: We will see how Team USA start the tournament. We’ll be able to see two of their games before we face them and we will have to adjust our game to them just as they will have to adjust their game to us. We will see how it goes.

FIBA: Spain are considered among the favorites to reach the podium in Beijing. What are the expectations inside the camp and would failing to win gold be considered a failure for the world champions?

Gasol: We are not the only ones that have come to Beijing wanting the gold medal. It can happen that you can lose but what matters is how you lose. We will see what happens. There are many good teams out there. We just have to play.

FIBA