ESP - Spain tune-up with big win

LAS PALMAS (2010 FIBA World Championship) - Spain coach Sergio Scariolo was a happy man after seeing his team thrash a Canadian developmental team 84-38 in their first warm-up game ahead of the FIBA World Championship.

The defending world champions dominated the game throughout, racing into a 17-7 lead after only seven minutes as Canada failed to deal with Spain's physical strength.

Fernando San Emeterio, Carlos Suarez and Rafael Martinez all made their debuts in the game, with Suarez looking particularly impressive as he scored 10 points, behind only Felipe Reyes' 14 and Rudy Fernandez's 12.

Although this was not the Canada team that will themselves be at the FIBA World Championship in Turkey, Scariolo liked what he saw from his team.

"We can be very happy with this performance," he said.

"We were very loose, so we could get to know each other better on the court. We lost the ball a few times, but the intensity and generosity of the team was good, so we can be happy.

"We defended well, but Canada will be a much different team at the World Championship."

Spain will now take on Cote d'Ivoire in their next warm-up game, and Scariolo is expecting a different sort of challenge.

"It will be a physically demanding game," he said.

"But we have removed some of the nerves and we will begin to see which players want to assume a more important role."

Prior to the game, Scariolo confirmed the first cut to his squad, with Pablo Aguilar leaving the camp.

Josep Franch, who was not in the official squad of 15 but was training with the others, has also left.

Scariolo told Aguilar he would get another chance in the future.

"He has had a very good experience," Scariolo said.

"He will be enriched by this and we think he can be a player for the future."

Aguilar vowed to do all he could to get back into the team next year.

"It was a very difficult group to break into," he said.

"There are many very good players. This was the best thing for the group given the situation, but I will work very hard to come back next year and stay."

Scariolo said he will now wait to make any further cuts as he is waiting to see how Sergio Llull, who is making his way back from injury, gets on in the warm-up games.

FIBA