NBA star Pau Gasol has decided he will play in future tournaments for Spain after watching his country from the sidelines at EuroBasket.

Gasol, who chose to rest rather than take part in Serbia & Montenegro, has been commentating on the tournament as a television pundit, and the experience of being so close to the action made him realise exactly what he was missing.

"I'm finding it harder than I thought, although I am coping, it is very hard," Gasol told La Vanguardia.

"I prefer to be playing rather than watching. I miss it clearly, I miss the atmosphere in the team and the camaraderie.

"My aim is to be at the next championships. My plan is to go to the World Championships next year, and then the next European Championships - which will be at home here in Spain, and then after that the Olympic Games in Beijing.

"After 2008 we will see what happens. I hope that nothing gets in the way of me playing for the national team."