Spanish point guard Jose Manuel Calderon has re-affirmed his commitment to his country despite departing to play his basketball in the NBA.

The former TAU Ceramica player quit the Liga ACB this summer to sign for the Toronto Raptors.

Spain international shooting guard Juan Carlos Navarro has tried to remain positive after his side's frustrating EuroBasket campaign.

Spain achieved their first aim of the tournament by qualifying for next year's World Championships in Japan, but they lost their semi-final to Germany by just one point before falling apart in the game for the bronze medal against France - losing by 30 points.

Spain coach Mario Pesquera has been given the full backing of Spanish Basketball Federation president Jose Luis Saez.

Although he succeeded in his primary aim of taking Spain to next year's FIBA World  Championship in Japan, Pesquera was unable to emulate his immediate predecessors and come home from the recent EuroBasket with a medal.

Soviet Union and Yugoslavia. Only those historical basketball powerhouses have won medals at 4 consecutive EuroBaskets... but Spain can match it this year, in Belgrade. After silver medals in 1999 and 2003 and bronze in 2001, Spain will be looking for another success, and although superstar Pau Gasol will rest this time, medal hopes stay intact.