After finishing the 2009 FIBA Eurobasket with a silver medal, Rudy Fernandez and the Spanish national team are hoping to win it all in Turkey this month. Thus, Spain will take on France in the first game of group D at the 2010 FIBA World Championship on Saturday at 6 p.m. GMT.

Considering the depth of coach Sergio Scariolo's team, Spain can rightfully be considered being the toughest team besides the United States at the 2010 FIBA World Championship. Even though the Spaniards will have to compete without NBA All-Star Pau Gasol, Rudy Fernandez and company can be expected to play some excellent basketball down the stretch. After all, Jose Calderon from the Toronto Raptors, Marc Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies and Euroleague star Ricky Rubio will be leading the team from Southern Europe in the absence of Pau Gasol. Therefore, it is no surprise that Spain won nearly all of its exhibition games leading up to the 2010 FIBA World Championship as well as almost defeating the United States this week in a contested 86-87 loss.

France on the other hand has arguably as much talent as any other national team but will have to play without some of its NBA stars, inevitably weakening the squad of coach Vincent Collet. Most importantly, All-Star guard Tony Parker from the San Antonio Spurs, forward Mickael Pietrus from the Orlando Magic, Joakim Noah from the Chicago Bulls and Ronny Turiaf from the New York Knicks will not be playing in order to get ready for the next NBA season. Likewise, sophomore guard Rodrigue Beaubois from the Dallas Mavericks broke his foot two weeks ago and will be sidelined until early October. Therefore, the shorthanded French side will be led by Nicolas Batum from the Portland Trail Blazers and captain Boris Diaw from the Charlotte Bobcats who are hoping to guide the team to a medal. That said, France experienced significant problems in their recent friendlies, including two straight losses versus Canada. Taking everything into account, Spain should be able to come away with a win in their first game of the 2010 FIBA World Championship if they play up to their potential.

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