Perennial international powerhouse Spain is set to face Serbia in the opening day of the 2015 FIBA EuroBasket at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany on Saturday, September 5.
The Spaniards will boast off a slightly NBA-laden squad this year as All-NBA First Team center Marc Gasol decided not to join the national team in this edition of the EuroBasket. Another notable Spanish absentee is Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio who chose to miss this year's tournament in preparation for his team's coming training camp this month.
Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol and power forward Nikola Mirotić will headline coach Sergio Scariolo's roster, while former Portland Trailblazer Rudy Fernández is also participating.
Spain is coming off an 81-68 exhibition game win over Czech Republic to cap off a 7-0 stint in their preparation for this FIBA tournament. Gasol led the team with 18 points and 12 rebounds in that game, via the tourney's official website.
Meanwhile, Serbia will be coached by Aleksandar Djordjevic and has two players with NBA links on its side, namely power forward Nemanja Bjelica and shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanović.
Bjelica, who was drafted by the Washington Wizards in the second round of the 2010 NBA Draft, is currently under contract with the Wolves and will play this coming season. Bogdanović was selected 27th overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2014 draft but decided to play for Turkish club Fenerbahçe up to now.
Serbia placed 7th in the 2013 EuroBasket after they were beaten by Slovenia, 92-74, in the semifinals of the 5th-place bracket competitions, as per Free News Pos.
It will be a tightly-contested and highly defensive game for both squads, but Spain will prevail in the end.
Prediction: Spain wins, 77-73
Spain starting five: Pau Gasol (C), Nikola Mirotić (PF), Rudy Fernández (SF), Pau Ribas (SG), Sergio Llull (PG)
Serbia starting five: Miroslav Raduljica (C), Nemanja Bjelica (PF), Nikola Kalinić (SF), Bogdan Bogdanović (SG), Miloš Teodosić (PG)