Unicaja Malaga point guard Carlos Cabezas hopes to avoid the selection heartache he suffered with Spain last season when the squad for EuroBasket 2005 is named.

The 24-year-old was one of three players left out of coach Mario Pesquera's original 15-man party for last year's Olympic Games when it was narrowed down to 12 for the trip to Athens.

Now Cabezas is once again in Pesquera's 15-man squad as Spain prepare for next month's European Championships in Belgrade.

However, with Pesquera again having to decide on three players to miss the flight to Serbia & Montenegro, Cabezas is praying history does not repeat itself

The knee problems suffered by Raul Lopez has given him his chance to impress, but with Lopez likely to return for the World Championships should Spain qualify and teen sensation Sergio Rodriguez already forcing his way into the squad, this could be Cabazas' only shot.

"I am working really hard to be on the plane to Belgrade," he said.

"At the moment I feel very good, but I have to take things bit by bit."