ESP – Scariolo has several newcomers in latest Spain squad

MADRID (2010 FIBA World Championship) - Spain coach Sergio Scariolo took the difficult decision to leave last year's EuroBasket gold-medal winners Raul Lopez and Carlos Cabezas out of his latest national team squad.

Looking ahead to the FIBA World Championship in Turkey, Scariolo announced that veteran guard Jose Calderon was in the 15-man group.

The Toronto Raptors playmaker started for Spain’s gold-medal winning side at the FIBA World Championship four years ago but missed last year's EuroBasket title win through injury.

Two of the most charismatic players from this season in the ACB, Caja Laboral's Fernando San Emeterio and Power Electronics Valencia's Rafa Martinez, were included along with Regal Barcelona center Fran Vazquez.

Vazquez, this year’s Copa del Rey MVP, played for Spain at EuroBasket 2005 and was in the squad the following year for the FIBA World Championship but had to pull out with a back injury and was then replaced by Marc Gasol.

San Emeterio made a dramatic game-winning three-point play for Caja Laboral in Game 3 against Barca that clinched the title for Caja Laboral while Martinez helped Valencia capture the Eurocup in Vitoria.

Other players trying to make the team that were not in last year's side in Poland are Pablo Aguilar of CB Granada and Carlos Suarez of Estudiantes.

Suarez was voted to the ACB's Ideal Quintet after a terrific season.

New York Knicks guard Sergio Rodriguez was in the 24-man list recently released by Spain but has not been included.

Sergio Llull, Ricky Rubio, Juan Carlos Navarro, Felipe Reyes, Marc Gasol, Jorge Garbajosa, Victor Claver, Rudy Fernandez and Alex Mumbru were the other members of last year's side that are in the 15-man list.

Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers, the MVP of the 2006 FIBA World Championship and last year's EuroBasket, announced before the NBA Finals he would not play this summer.

Scariolo did give hope to those in the 24-man list that didn't make the cut by saying they could be added at a later date if injuries or illness knock one of the players in the 15-man group out.

"As has happened in the past, it could be that a player that was on the 24-player list but not in the 15 ends up in the definite 12 depending on circumstances," Scariolo said.

"That is why the nine players that are not in the current squad should be prepared to be in the best condition."

Even without Pau Gasol, Spain will be among the favorites to reach the podium.

In the Preliminary Round, they will compete in Group D against Canada, Lebanon, New Zealand, Lithuania and France.

Spain will play nine friendly games before travelling to Turkey on August 25.

On August 1, Spain will take on Canada in Gran Canaria and the next day they will go up against Ivory Coast.

They will then square off against Lithuania on August 7 and Slovenia the following day in Vitoria.

Scariolo's side will meet Slovenia again on August 10 in Ljubljana before facing Argentina on August 15 and Brazil August 17 in Logrono.

Spain will travel to Madrid to face Lithuania on August 20 and Team USA on August 22 before leaving for Turkey.

The FIBA World Championship tips off on August 28.

FIBA