This is supposed to be a time of incredible excitement in Spain and Sevilla, where the host nation of EuroBasket 2007 is set to launch its gold medal bid.

And, for the most part, it is an exciting time.

Banners proclaiming the arrival of the all-conquering Spaniards - the world champions - are everywhere.

Hanging from streetlights are photos of the country’s basketball heroes Pau Gasol, Juan Carlos Navarro, Felipe Reyes, Jorge Garbajosa, Berni Rodriguez, coach Pepu Hernandez and others.

How big is the occasion of Spain’s EuroBasket opener today against neigbours Portugal?

Big enough that a member of Spain’s royal family will attend the first game here at the San Pablo Pavilion.

So there are smiles, laughs, cheers and excitement.

But mixed in all of this are tears.

Garbajosa was emotional at his press conference on Sunday when he announced that he would play in this EuroBasket, several months after suffering a very serious injury while playing for the Toronto Raptors.

The power forward, with the help of the Spanish Basketball Federation, obtained a special insurance policy that will allow him to get out on the court.

He was one of their best players last year in Japan when they captured the world title.

"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 revealed.

There is a juxtaposition of happiness and sadness because of the death of Antonio Puerta, a

		“	There is a juxtaposition of happiness and sadness because of the death of Antonio Puerta	„

22-year-old football star at FC Sevilla, who passed away last week.

The national team's defender collapsed during a Primera Liga game and later died of a heart-related illness.

A minute of silence was observed at the EuroBasket warm-up game between Spain and France in his honour.

His death has shocked this city, one of the most beautiful in Spain.

Laid at the base of the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium are flowers, candles and heart-wrenching notes while there are graffiti on the walls - especially at Gate 16 ("Puerta" means "door" in Spanish and the player wore No 16) - to pay hommage.

Puerta hailed from Sevilla and joined the club as a boy.

A moving tribute was paid to him by Sevilla’s cross-town rivals, Real Betis, in their game yesterday.

Their players wore their Betis shirts, but instead of their own names on the back, each wore the name "Puerta".

There was a minute of silence before kick-off - just as was the case at all other football games in Spain on the day.

At all hours of the day and night, people walk to the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium to remember Puerta and pay their respects.

Everyone is moved.

Most people spend time reading the notes and graffiti.

Puerta is survived by his wife, who is almost eight months pregnant with their first child.

There have been calls for the stadium to be re-named the Estadio de Antonio Puerta.

And it’s not just the Spanish who have been moved by this tragedy.

Croatia are one of the teams playing Group B games in Sevilla.

Their basketball federation sent a telegram of condolence to Puerta’s family after his death.

When they arrived in Sevilla, the president, vice-president, general secretary and other members of the country's federation visited Gate 16.

Croatia spokesman Eduard Tartaglia said: “We were moved by this tragedy. He was young, and he died on the field of play. We just wanted them to know that we cared.”