SPANISH basketball star Rudy Fernandez suffered a nasty injury after being inadvertently kicked in the face by his own team-mate.
Reigning European champions Spain took on Greece in Lille on Tuesday morning.
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Rudy Fernandez went down in agonyCredit: Reuters
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The Spain legend’s team-mates rallied around himCredit: BBC
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Fernandez inadvertently collided with team-mate Juancho HernangomezCredit: BBC
Fernandez, 39, is playing at his SIXTH Olympic Games.
But his further participation in this year’s event is now in doubt after he was forced out of today’s game with injury.
The incident occurred midway through the fourth quarter, with Spain leading 71-67.
Fernandez chased Vassilis Toliopoulos as the Greek star drove towards the basket.
Juancho Hernangomez, who starred in the Adam Sandler film “Hustle”, slid over to meet Toliopoulos at the rim.
As he did so, Fernandez fell into him, with Hernangomez’s leg striking the veteran full in the face.
With Toliopoulos making the bucket anyway, Fernandez lay crumpled in a heap.
The Spanish skipper clutched his face in pain, with concerned team-mates standing over him.
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The collision has put Fernandez’s further Olympics participation in doubtCredit: BBC
With a time-out called, the groggy star eventually got to his feet as he was assessed by medical staff.
Fernandez was withdrawn at the 5:33 mark in the fourth quarter, and as play continued he received further treatment, with doctors seen holding an ice pack to his neck.
With around three minutes left of the game he was helped back to the locker room and did not return.
Without their talisman, Spain managed to hold out for an 84-77 victory.
Spain are next scheduled to be in action on Friday, when they face Canada.
Fernandez has won two Olympic silver medals, in addition to a bronze in 2016.
He has earned four EuroBasket golds for his country, in addition to the 2006 and 2019 FIBA World Championships.
The 6ft 5in star played for the Portland Trailblazers and the Denver Nuggets, but is more decorated for his achievements in Europe.
Fernandez is a three-time EuroLeague champion, a EuroCup winner and has seven Spanish league titles.
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Fernandez received further treatment from medical staffCredit: BBC
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He was eventually helped off to the locker roomCredit: AFP
