ESP – Spain’s Calderon all smiles in Beijing

BEIJING (Olympics) - No Spanish player is hotter right now than Jose Manuel Calderon.

The former star of ACB and Euroleague juggernauts Tau Ceramica is now the undisputed starting point guard of the Toronto Raptors.

Had Spain won last year’s EuroBasket instead of suffering a narrow defeat to Russia in the final, Calderon would have been MVP.

On Sunday, Spain beat Greece in their Group B opener in Beijing.

Calderon spoke to FIBA.com where he and Los Chicos de Oro are attempting to follow up their world title triumph with Olympic gold.

FIBA: Jose, how much has your life changed since the last Olympics when you played in Athens?

Calderon: For sure. I have experienced important years since then. I have signed a five-year contract with the Raptors and I feel great. I think we have a great opportunity to do something at this Olympics with Spain so I cannot ask for more. I am pretty happy right now.

FIBA: You have a new coach in Aito Garcia Reneses, who replaced Pepu Hernandez several months ago. Have there been many changes?

Calderon: Everything is good. We are the same team, some details may have changed. I think we play with more intensity throughout the game. We have 12 players that can play. We don't have highs and low. I think we are a better team than two years ago.

FIBA: How is Jorge Garbajosa’s fitness?

Calderon: He’s fine, he’s doing great.

FIBA: Spain could not have asked for a tougher game than against Greece to begin the Olympic tournament, but you won.

Calderon: Greece is a tough, tough team. They played at the Pre-Olympic Tournament and went into the Olympics with more rhythm than us but we won.

FIBA: What are Spain's' expectations here in Beijing?

Calderon: The three last group games are very important, but it doesn't matter if you finish second, third or fourth. Once you get to the quarter-final round anything can happen.

FIBA: Are there any concerns regarding the national team?

Calderon: I like my team and I believe that is our strength. We have different players stepping up in each game and that will make life difficult for opponents.

FIBA