See You in London - by Mario Diaz Camacho

At work, I always try to think as a journalist, but sometimes I find myself following my heart instead of my head. This happens to me every time the Spanish basketball team are on TV.

Maybe it's because I have played basketball since I was four, or because I consider some of them more than just professional athletes. I don't know why, but come tip-off something happens inside of me. A sensation, a tickling, the kind of nervousness you feel when you look at your heroes.

Seven medals including gold in the 2006 Worldbasket championships, another two in the Eurobaskets (2009 and 2011) and the most beautiful silver ever won, in Pekin 2008, are just an example of the success of the Spanish side. It is a success that has grown in only eleven years.

It is a period that is making history in Spanish sports and is slowly changing the mind-set of a one-way thinking country. Maybe you've heard of Pau Gasol and perhaps his brother Marc. But, does anyone in England know who José Manuel Calderón or Rudy Fernández are? I don't think so.

How well known is Ogo Adegboye in England? What about Devon Van Oostrum? And Daniel Clark? All of them, besides Andrew Lawrence, Mike Lenzy, Nate Reiking and Joel Freeland will be representing Britain in London 2012. As you read this, you're probably thinking that a Spanish journalist can't tell you what sports you should love. Well, you're right, but in the future I can assure you that you all will love basketball.

It's a similar situation to that in Spain years ago. We have a long basketball tradition, in fact we clinched a silver medal in the first Eurobasket championships in 1935. Since that moment, basketball gave us a part of our 'Olimpo'. The difference between Spain and Britain is that in Britain there is a belief that you need tradition to make an impact. Well, again you are right, but nowadays sport is completely different.

Look at France, the other finalists in the european tournament. Look at their players, 90% of whom were born outside France. They originate from Martinique, Belgium, New Caledonia. Now look at Great Britain team: Nigeria, Sudan, Canada, USA and Netherlands. It's time for basketball to grow in England, and the Olympic Games are the best opportunity for that. Britain has two great NBA players and a good team around them. The perfect combination for a big tournament.

I met Joel Freeland, Daniel Clark, Robert Archibald and earlier this year Devon Van Oostrum, all of whom will play in the Spanish Endesa League. The first three, and Drew Sullivan, also a 'Spanish' player years ago, are the hidden treasures of Great Britain. They are big, fast and physical. Furthermore, Britain have a trustworthy point-guard in Lenzly and an extraordinary shooting-guard in Nate Reinking.

All of them are the workers around two rising stars: Ben Gordon of the Detroit Pistons, and Luol Deng of the Chicago Bulls. It is a similar set-up to Spain, who boast two great stars in Pau Gasol and Juan Carlos Navarro, and a marvellous team behind them, featuring Calderon (Toronto Raptors), Marc Gasol (Memphis Grizzlies) and Rudy Fernández (Dallas Mavericks).

These guys made us world and european champions. I'd like to think that Britain can reach that level, but If you want it, we will wait for you in London.

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