Jorge Garbajosa is set to play in EuroBasket 2007 after all, as an agreement has been reached by the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB) and the Toronto Raptors.

A deal was struck between the parties after the Raptors had previously indicated they would not allow the 29-year-old power forward to play because of injury concerns. 

Garbajosa held back tears as he talked about the experience.

"For me this is a very special moment," he said.

"I told everyone from the beginning that my goal was to play this summer.  When you see that people are staying up until 9 am without sleep to make that happen it makes you feel really good."

Ten days ago, Toronto president and general manager Bryan Colangelo said the club would not give its consent for the 6ft 9in power forward/center to play in Spain, where the EuroBasket is being staged.

But the Spanish Federation struck a deal through Mutua Madrilena insurance company that will cover the Raptors in case of injury, prompting them to allow him to reverse their decision.

"When I was growing up I never really dreamed of playing for Barcelona or Madrid, I dreamed of putting on a Spanish National Team jersey and so this meant a lot to me."

Garbajosa also expressed his wish to put the issue behind him.

"One of the hard things for me in this has been that I felt like all the attention was on me and I don't like that.  Hopefully now we can all just focus on the team."  

Garbajosa was a key player for Spain at their FIBA World Championship success in Japan last year.

His addition to the team means that Jordi Trias has been left off the roster.