MADRID/PAIPORTA - The multiple champion Dani Sánchez is missing when the semi finals of the Spanish team championship is played this weekend. Sixteen teams have qualified and play the semifinals in Madrid, Paiporta, Kalima Rivas and Alicante. Many foreign top players are travelling to Spain, like Roland Forthomme, Eddy Leppens, Martin Horn, Peter Ceulemans, Michael Nilsson, Jérémy Bury, Dion Nelin, Glenn Hoffman, Dave Christiani, Birol Uymaz and Erick Tellez.
Coral Colón was the champion in the last three years, but this team was missing its top players and couldn't qualify this year. The same for Barcelona with Dani Sánchez, who only played three games. His team is not in the last 16. The Spanish champion currently is in Korea for exhibitions and business.
The sixteen teams playing for eight places in the final round from 12 to May 15 in Lleida (Catlonië).
The group format:
Group A (Madrid):
Madrid Esc. Nacional: Jose Maria Mas, Jaime Sanchez, Joseba Escribano, Valentin Andalz
Asoc B Palma: Michael Nilsson, Carlos Crespo, Adrián Legazpi, Antonio Torres
CB Valencia: Martin Horn, Dave Christiani, Armando Moreno, Jose Pascual
CB Leida: Xavier Sanchez, Eduard Calzada, Qvim Cotell, Isidor Cardet
Group B (Paiporta):
Paiporta: Javier Palazón, Dion Nelin, Sergio Jimenez, Anonio Ortiz
CB Arenzo: Jérémy Bury, Enrique Penaluq, Jesús Gallen
CB Castella: Glenn Hofman, Birol Uymaz, Carlos Carrion, Andres Carrion.
Antequeara: Jose R. González, Alberto Gomez, Francisco Sancho, Antonio Gomez
Group C (Kalima Rivas):
Kalima: Rubén Legazpi, Rubén Fernandez, Jose Martinez, Rafael Garrido
Cas. De Cartagena: David Martinez, Juan David Zapata, Erick Tellez, Jose Carrasco.
Real de Regatas: Francisco de la Cerca, Alfredo Araujo, Jose Escandon, Jose Villa
Danyells: Antonio Hernandez, Juan C. Pareras, Gabriel Liébana, Francisco Alarcón
Group D:
Allicante: Ricardo Garcia, Xavier Yeste, Sergio Conto, Jose M. Gomez
CB Mataro: Jordi Garriga, Antonio Montes, Raúl Cuenca, Esteve Mata
Alcantarilla: Eddy Leppens, Peter Ceulemans, Raúl Hernandez, José D Guirao
CB Sant: Alejandro Peréz, Juan Jimenez, Jesús Luque, Ricard Fiol.