MADRID (Rio 2016 Olympic Games) - Spain head coach Sergio Scariolo will take eight of the 12 players that won last year's EuroBasket to the Olympics after making "one of the most painful decisions" in his time with the national team by cutting Fernando San Emeterio.

Silver medalists at the last two Summer Games, Spain will be led by one of the greatest international basketball players of all time, Pau Gasol, the Most Valuable Player of last year's tournament.

Also making the trip to Brazil will be Sergio Rodriguez, a member of the All-Star Five at EuroBasket 2015.

Returning to the roster after missing last summer's campaign are Jose Calderon, Juan Carlos Navarro, Ricky Rubio and Alex Abrines.

Pau Ribas had also been in last year's team but picked up an injury in the build-up and is not on the roster. Alberto Abalde, a member of the Spain squad that finished second at the 2015 U20 European Championship, was also in the squad but has not made the Olympic team.

Heading into this summer, there were no guarantees for any of the players, even those that were on the magical ride of 2015 that began in Berlin, Germany, and ended in Lille, France.

"I knew from the beginning it was going to be a very difficult decision," San Emeterio said. "I wish the team the best and hope they return with a medal."

Scariolo regrets having to let San Emeterio go.

"It has been one of the most painful decisions I've had to make in my years with the national team," he said. "Fernando is a player who brings a lot of things on the court and is one of the best people I've met in the basketball world."

Spain will now focus firmly on the games at hand. They will play against Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, Lithuania and Nigeria in Group B at the Olympics.

A top four finish will be needed to reach the knockout round.

FIBA