France coach Claude Bergeaud has finally unveiled his 12-men squad for the EuroBasket 2005 after Spanish side Lagun Aro Bilbao Basket agreed to free center Frederic Weis.

The 27-year-old, who has not played for France since 2002, was called up last week to compensate for the absence of Vincent Masingue, who is out with a calf problem.

But his club Bilbao were reluctant to let him go and Bergeaud had to negotiate with the Basque outfit for four days, postponing the announcement of his final squad before an agreement could be reached.

Weis will now take Claude Marquis' place in the team.

Bergeaud told www.basketfrance.com: "After the injury to Vincent Masingue we contacted Frederic Weis to find out about his availability for the French team.

"He said he was okay and we were willing to see him play at the Limoges tournament.

"But the administrative difficulties and the lack of cooperation from Bilbao prevented us from doing so.

"We take Frederic to Milan to take part in our last preparation game against Italy on Tuesday evening.

"I would also like to congratulate Vincent Masingue, Claude Marquis and Alain Digbeu for their exemplary behaviour in the final race to the 12-men team.

"The tough rule of selection kept them from taking part in the coming European competition."

France squad: Tony Parker (San Antonio Spurs), Frederic Fauthoux (Pau-Orthez), Antoine Rigaudeau (Valencia), Boris Diaw (Phoenix), Mickael Pietrus (Golden State Warriors), Mickael Gelabale (Real Madrid), Mamoutou Diarra (Chalon-sur-Saone), Florent Pietrus (Malaga), Sacha Giffa (Strasbourg), Cyril Julian (Nancy), Jerome Schmitt (Bourg-en-Bresse), Frederic Weis (Bilbao).