Pau Gasol admits he is finding it hard to adapt to his new position covering the progress of the Spain basketball team rather than playing for it.

Gasol will fly to Belgrade on Wednesday but will not play in the EuroBasket to allow his foot injury more time to recover.

Spanish sensation Rudy Fernandez is firmly in national team boss Moncho Lopez's Olympic plans, the coach confirmed on Monday afternoon.

The forward, just 18 years old, underlined his immense potential with three dynamic performances for DKV Joventut in the Copa del Rey as they finished runners-up to Tau Ceramica.

Following the meeting of the FIBA Europe Board in November 2002, it was decided that a new system of qualification would be implemented for the 2005 European Championship for Men.