Legendary Laia Palau calls time on her career with Spain

MADRID (Spain) - After two decades at the top level representing Spain, legendary playmaker Laia Palau has confirmed she has played her last game for her country.

The guard has enjoyed a phenomenal career donning a national team jersey, with her longevity at the top level something that may never be surpassed by another Spanish player.

Certainly the eye-popping numbers of 314 games and 12 medals speaks for itself - let alone the 1,839 points and 838 assists. Her tally of appearances is way past the next in line for Spain, which is 253 games by Juan Carlos 'La Bomba' Navarro. Palau is also the oldest player to have represented her country, last doing so when 41 years and 319 days old.

"I retire from the national team and I say it right away and with enthusiasm," Palau, who has been at the heart of Spain's rise to dominance in recent times, confirmed at a press conference on Monday.

"All this week, I had an internal dispute within myself about what I had to say and how to say it. The one thing that I must admit is that the more I think about things, the more complicated it gets for me - it's hard to explain.

"I want to say a big thank you to everyone. Thanks to a life that has given me so much, because I don't think it could have been better. Thanks in the first instance to my parents for bringing me into life with this happiness and grace. They have been with me all this time and have also kept my feet on the ground all the time.

She continued: "It's been 20 years and that's a lot. The national team is something special, quite particular and you have to feel it's your team.  

"Winning is cool, but if you truly share those moments with your teammates, that is what is left at the end of the day and remains forever. For sure things didn't work always the right way, but being together made that dragon look less terrifying."

Palau confirmed that while she won't be stepping out on the floor any more, she is determined to stick around the scene, including continuing to play for Spar Girona at club level.

She explained: "I must say that despite quitting, I'm not going anywhere, because I plan to be near this team in the near future.

"The FEB [Spanish Basketball Federation] is the house of basketball and it has been my house for many years and I hope it will continue to be. I always stick with the people there and with my teammates.

"The national team is the team for everybody and I would like this to always be this way and to continue making great things happen. Above all, it has been a blast," concluded Palau.

Meanwhile fellow veteran star Silvia Dominguez paid tribute to her now former teammate and stated: "The world of basketball has to say thank you for all that you have given.

"It's the end of an era and we have to be grateful for you being the commander of what started being a dream and happened to be a revolution. You deserve the best and even better."

There was also glowing praise from FEB President, Jorge Garbajosa, who sat alongside Palau and stated: "You're the player that has represented the national team the most times and who has the most medals.

"But talking about games and medals is just a small part of Laia. She is a pure example of professionalism in basketball. The person who understood the most and the best what it means to be a basketball player.

"You're a very smart and intelligent player, one that I have had the luck to get to know for many years. You leave the national team with the highest honors.

"But while you leave, you will never really leave - ever. I wish for you to stick around the national team for many years and I want you near," added Garbajosa.

FIBA