Pau and Ricky Receive Award for Best European Players

Pau Gasol and Ricky Rubio were the grand finally in the presentation of the Spanish national basketball team, which took place in Madrid on Thursday. They received from the hands of Canadian Nar Zanolin, general secretary of FIBA Europe, the awards for the best players in Europe during the year 2008.

In the presence of the State secretary for the sport, Jaime Lissavetzky and the mayor of Madrid, Alberto Ruiz Gallardón, Nar Zanolin handed Pau Gasol the award granted by FIBA Europe who credited him as the best player in Europe during 2008. "What these two players have done last year, especially in the Olympics, it is unique and should be rewarded," said Zanolin.

Regarding the possibilities for Spain in the Eurobasket, the general secretary of FIBA Europe assured the Spaniards "are the favorites, although they must prove it on court." "Knowing them, I know they always play with heart, so they have chances" he admitted. Pau Gasol said he was "very grateful" to receive the recognition of European basketball. "It's an honor to receive this distinction as a reward for a year that was very special," he said. The player of the Spanish selection highlighted the level of this award in which "if you're on top, you'll always be followed by great players."

Gasol thanked the support of voters, and acknowledged that there are "between five and ten players" that could have also been chosen for this award, which speaks of the "high level of European basketball." The fact that the players getting more votes are those who play at the NBA is a sign, in the words of Gasol, "the globalization of basketball and the importance of European players in the best league in the world." The player of the Los Angeles Lakers won the title of best player in Europe 2008 followed by Rudy Fernandez (best young player in Europe in 2006) and German Dirk Nowitzki (best player in Europe in 2005) after combining the votes of the fans around the world and the opinions of a panel of experts.

At the same time, Ricky Rubio (18 years) also received from Nazolin the award for the best young player in Europe 2008, which he received the award for the second consecutive year. The point-guard of the Spanish selection said that it was a "pleasure" to receive for the second time as the best young player and that the award is a confirmation "that I'm working well"

Rubio recalled that this award three years ago went to his team-mate Rudy Fernandez, "which speaks volumes about the level of this award." The point-guard said that "it would be a dream" one day to be recognized as the best player in Europe like Pau Gasol, but is aware that he must "go step by step to improve."

Source: MARCA.com(Spanish)

Presentation of the Spanish Basketball Selection for Eurobasket 2009