Gasol Wants To Play For Spain At Summer's Euro Championships

MADRID (AP) -- Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol says he wants to play for Spain at this summer's European Championship.

Gasol confirmed his availability for the defending champions on Wednesday after missing last year's World Championship in Turkey, where Spain finished sixth.

According to the Spanish basketball federation's website, Gasol says that "if the coach feels he can count on me then I want to help the team win another European" title.

Gasol helped Spain to a 2006 world title and a silver medal at the Beijing Olympics.

The decision comes after the Dallas Mavericks swept Gasol's Lakers 4-0 in the conference semifinals of the NBA playoffs.

The Euros will be played in Lithuania from Aug. 31 to Sept. 18.

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