Credit: Feb.es

Both Spain and Greece Men’s National Teams are two classic European and World Basketball Champions. Both teams have met 37 times throughout history, with a record of 29 wins and eight Greek Spanish. Furthermore, Spain has not lost a match against Greece since September 10, 2005. It was in the last friendly match held between the two combined. It took place in Madrid and defeated Greece 80-88.

But after that game, in the last four years all the match between Greek and Spanish are official and have resulted in intense duels held under a great rivalry. Both teams have clashed in the past four disputed official competitions (2006 World Cup final, qualifying and semi-finals of EuroBasket 2007, first day of the Beijing Olympics semi-finals of EuroBasket 2008 and 2009). In all the Hellenes were overcome and, except in the Games (fell in the quarterfinals to Argentina), eliminated.

The widest victory of Spain came in the European Championship of Czecha Slovakia, on May 30, 1981 in Bratislava Selection won by 39 points difference (111-72). Greece achieved its most convincing victory over Spain (13 points) on January 26, 2002, in the match played in Athens and for the pre-European (73-86).

Spain will look to start this round more focused than ever from the first minute says Ricky Rubio.

Ricky: “We will go out fired up from the first minute”

During the knockout round there are any chances for Spain to make mistakes say’s Rubio, “Now there is no possibility of making mistakes because if you lose you go home, we will be concentrated from the first minute”.

Greece Roster Against Spain

• Ian Vougioukas
• Ioannis Bourousis
• Nikos Zisis
• Nicholas Calathes
• Antonis Fotsis
• Giorgios Printezis
• Stratos Perperoglu
• Kostas Tsartsaris
• Dimitris Diamantidis
• Kostas Kaimakoglou
• Sofoklis Schortsanitis

Spain will face Greece at 8pm local time Saturday, September 4th.

The Spanish Mens National Team opened in their first game of the Olympic’s yesterday with a big win over Greece (81-66). Top scorers Rudy Fernandez (16) and Calderon (13) helped dominate Greece in the 3rd quarter. Pau Gasol added 11 points and 7 rebounds and rookie Ricky Rubio scored 7 points in only 13 minutes of play.

August 12, Spain will play Olympic host China.