Backstage interview with Raul LOPEZ (Spain)

ROME (Olympics) -- Raul Lopez is one of the best guards ever produced by Spain, and Real Madrid have been reaping the benefits the past two seasons with him as their playmaker.

Lopez, 27, helped fire the club to ULEB Cup glory and to the Spanish title last season, and this year has them competing with the best in the ACB again and the Euroleague.

Lopez was one of the leading Spaniards in the NBA with the Utah Jazz before knee injuries cut short his time in the United States, but he appears to be in peak fitness now and admits he hasn't given up of playing for his country at this year's Olympics in Beijing.

He spoke to FIBA after a recent Euroleague game at Lottomatica Roma.