Rudy Fernandez, the winner of the 2006 FIBA Europe Young Men’s Player of the Year, will be recognised in front of his home fans tomorrow (28 August) when Spain takes on Germany in a friendly game in Palma de Mallorca.

FIBA Europe will present Fernandez with the custom-designed 2006 Young Men’s Player of the Year trophy during the game.

Greek star Theo Papaloukas received his custom-designed 2006 FIBA Europe Player of the Year award on 30 June among a standing ovation from the appreciating crowd of Athens’ OAKA, the Olympic Sport Complex Arena.

Later Papaloukas proved why he won the award by leading his 2005 EuroBasket champions Greek team to victory over a European All-Star selection in the bi-annual Eurostar game.

CSKA Volgaburmash and Russian international center Maria Stepanova lifted the FIBA Europe 2006 Women’s Player of the Year award at the EuroLeague Women All Star Game.

Stepanova, a back-up on the European team, entered the game in the opening stages of the first quarter and play was stopped so FIBA Europe Secretary General Nar Zanolin could walk on to the floor and present Stepanova the trophy.

Few followers of the women's game will argue with Maria Stepanova's second successive FIBA Europe Women's Player of the Year award.

The announcement came on the same day that Stepanova's club side, CSKA Volgaburmash, comprehensively saw off Dynamo Moscow 71-45 to retain the Russian Cup, the latest achievement by the 27-year old center.