There's a good explanation why Spanish basketball god Epi will be glued to his TV set for the next two weeks.

If his prediction is right, Spain will march all the way to the  podium at the EuroBasket which tips off this weekend in Serbia & Montenegro.

		“	I am convinced that Spain will reach the podium	„
		Epi on Spain's EuroBasket Hopes

The ex-Barcelona star knows the tournament better than anyone, having  participated in eight European Championships during an unforgettable career which saw him play a huge role in lifting basketball in his country to another dimension.

Epi may have retired from the game a decade ago but basketball is still very much present in his life.

He commentates for Spanish TV station Canal Plus, and is also Spain's number one fan.

His record 239 appearances, 3,358 points in 15 years of service with the red colours has yet to be broken, as is his participation in four Olympics, including the memorable Los Angeles Games in 1984 when Spain clinched the silver medal.

Michael Jordan and a very talented American team won the gold that year.  Epi, looking ahead to the EuroBasket and Spain's chances, said to PA Sport with no hesitation: "I am convinced that Spain will reach the podium. Our players compete in the challenging ACB league, they know what pressure to expect in a EuroBasket, they know how to deal with tight games because they have experienced it on a weekly basis."

Mario Pesquera's men will not have the easiest of groups to start with, considering they take on hosts and favourites Serbia & Montenegro, Latvia and Israel, who won the additional qualifying tournament.

"It doesn't worry me," he said.

"Having played in many European tournaments, I can assure you that it's not important which group you are in.

"The most vital aspect is that you reach the best level possible at the right time.

"Sooner or later, you will have to beat the best teams and if it's earlier and you succeed, then the teams you will eventually face are likely to be more attainable."

There is also the luck ingredient that comes into place, as Spain are well aware after last year's Olympics in Athens.

Spain went unbeaten in the preliminary round, but were drawn against Team USA in the quarter-finals.

The Americans saved their best game for Spain, with Stephon Marbury's record-setting three-point shooting performance - he made six of nine and finished with a US Olympic record 31 points - firing them to a narrow triumph.

"In this European tournament, many teams can fight for the gold medal, like Spain, Croatia, Serbia & Montenegro, Greece and Italy," Epi said.

"But what will be crucial for all these teams if they want to succeed is to be in good shape, not to have any players injured but also to have luck in the decisive moments."

		Epi predicts a bright future for Rudy Fernandez

And for that reason, Epi doesn't consider defending champions Lithuania favourites to retain the title.

Coach Antanas Sireika has been severely hindered by retirements, and injuries to top stars.

Sharpshooter Arvydas Macijauskas is ruled out with a problematic foot while Dainius Salenga is out of action with knee injury.

Also, Sarunas Jasikevicius and Darius Songaila are unavailable due to their NBA commitments.

Jasikevicius was the MVP of EuroBasket 2003, and he has also been the key man in the last three sides to win Euroleague crowns - Barcelona (2003), and Maccabi Tel-Aviv (2004, '05). He has decided to spend his summer preparing for the rigours of the NBA, as he will be a rookie with the Indiana Pacers.

"Lithuania are going to have a difficult tournament,"Epi predicted. 

"Without Jasikevicius, a crucial player for them, and Macijauskas, their level will drop.

"I believe that they will not win gold but what is more, I don't think they will even make it to the podium."

Spain will also be without their star player Pau Gasol, along with giant center Roberto Duenas.
Gasol, who is Spain's best player, is not taking part in order to rest a persistent foot injury. Injuries have also knocked the veteran Duenas out.

Gasol was the Spanish MVP of their silver-medal winning side at the last EuroBasket. Though Duenas sat out of the Sweden tournament, he did play at the Olympics and offered a huge body off the bench.

"What Spain lack when it comes to going that one additional step is to have all their players available for the top tournaments," admitted Epi.

"Aside from Gasol's absence, we will not have Duenas or Raul Lopez and if they were available and in good shape it would facilitate our jouney to the top.

"Gasol is a decisive player for us and although his absence means that we will lack some quality during certain episodes in a game, we will have other elements in place.

"The responsibility will not lie solely on one player but on the whole team, so in one given game it could be Juan Carlos Navarro to guide the team and in another it could be down to Jorge Garbajosa.

Acccording to Epi, it's the sense of unity in the group that makes this squad similar to that of 1984 when Epi and company made history for Spain in Los Angeles.

"Back then we were a very compact team made up of 12 useful players just as they are now," said Epi.

"We were a united team and I believe that is the case now.

"Perhaps the players back then had more charisma considering our previous achievements."

But the game has certainly changed from those days. "Physical strength is the most important thing nowadays," said Epi.

"In our time it was all down to tactics and not so much the physique because in any case the rules of the game didn't allow so much physical contact.

"There is more power in the game and the European game is now closer to the NBA than it was back then."

For such reason, it's difficult for Epi to find a place that has similar characteristics to his.

"I think we have lost a little bit the type of player that I was," he said.

"I was a good shooter and also a good defender.

"Navarro is quicker than I am but he defends less."

However, there is one player that Epi admires and that is young DKV Joventut star Rudy Fernandez, who will play at the EuroBasket.

"He is an extraordinary talent," said Epi.

"He is young but he has already proved in the minutes he has played that he can make an impact.

"I think in two or three yeas time, he will be at the top of the game."