Berni Rodriguez doesn't have as big a profile as Pau Gasol or Jose Calderon, but the Unicaja Malaga guard certainly takes a backseat to no member of the Spain squad when it comes to playing hard.

The 28-year-old, a world champion in 2006 and a silver medalist at both EuroBasket 2007 and last year's Olympics in Beijing, treasures his national team experiences.

"I'm very happy and lucky to be in this group, the national team," Berni said. "I hope to win a lot of championships here at Unicaja Malaga, too, including maybe the Euroleague Final Four."

With Sergio Scariolo a strong candidate to serve as the new Spain boss, Berni spoke about his former Unicaja coach and answered other questions from Basketball World News for FIBA Europe.

“	We hope we have the opportunity to win a medal (at EuroBasket 2009). Obviously, if it's gold, it's better.	„
Berni Rodriguez Spain Forward

FIBA Europe: In the past, you played for a great coach at Unicaja, Sergio Scariolo. There is talk that he may coach Spain. Is this something that's believable to you and something that you might look forward to?

Berni: Yes, it's a big possibility for him to be the coach of the Spanish team. He's a great coach now in Russia (at BC Khimki). He stayed here in Malaga for five years. He gave us a big championship and a lot of happy days for the people in Malaga.

FIBA Europe: We were in Beijing and watched you play for Spain against Team USA in the gold medal game and there was no backing down from you or your teammates. The USA won a close game, but looking back at that day, what can you tell us about the gold medal clash?

Berni: It was amazing, incredible to play against the American team in the final of the Olympic Games, to play against Kobe Bryant, LeBron James. They are physically incredible players. I thought we had a good opportunity to win but in the end, we had to settle for the silver medal.

FIBA Europe: How important is the EuroBasket for Spain in Poland? Do you go to Poland believing that you have to win the gold medal or else it's a failure?

Berni: We know for us and for all the European teams, to go to Poland is very important. For us, it's continuity for the last three years. We hope we have the opportunity to win a medal. Obviously, if it's gold, it's better.

FIBA Europe: Looking from the outside, it seems like a player couldn't do much better than to be at a place like Unicaja when it comes to European basketball. Would you agree with that?

Berni: Yes, it's great for me. I was born in Malaga. I play in my home city, live with my family. This is a great place to live and play. We have a great gym. Our crowd is incredible here. I think that all the players who come to Malaga are happy.

FIBA Europe: Who was the player that you really liked at Malaga when you were growing up and learning to play the game?

Berni: Umm, good question. (Ex-Spain international) Nacho Rodriguez. He played in Malaga for some years and went to Barcelona. For me, he was one of the players that I wanted to be like. He's from Malaga, too.

FIBA Europe: Is this Unicaja team going to win a Copa del Rey, ACB or Euroleague title this year?

Berni: I hope so. We make a great team, but in the Euroleague and the ACB, there are a lot of good teams that want to win so I hope we have the opportunity to win.