Spain star eyes 3x3 Basketball medal in Baku

Baku, June 2, AZERTAC Spain's 3x3 Basketball star Nacho Martín, one of the biggest names in the tournament, has said he believes his team is a strong medal prospect at the inaugural European Games. The Tuenti Movil Estudiantes player has made 258 appearances in the Spanish first division Liga Endesa, and while Martin remains realistic, the 32-year-old thinks Spain could find themselves among the medals. "I do not know if people will put us in the pool of medal contenders, but I trust my team and think we can do it," Martín told ZoomNews. Lining up with Martín will be Álex Llorca, who plays with Ribeira Sacra Breogán Lugo in Spain's second division, Sergio de la Fuente, one of the best centres in the division, and Juan Vasco from the EBA fourth division side CB Deportivo Coín. Vasco played with Martín at the 3x3 European Championships last year, the qualifying tournament for Baku 2015, finishing fifth. "Juan Vasco understands 3x3 Basketball. He is one of the smartest centres I know," Martín said of his teammate. The Spanish coach Jaume Comas has experience of the big stage, having played for Spain at the Athen 2004 Olympic Games. "I love his philosophy on life and on basketball. I love that he always counts on me and he knows I will not let him down," Martín, who sees the Serbian team as the favourites in Baku, said of his relationship with Comas. Spain have been grouped in Pool B along with Belgium, Russia and Turkey.