Spain finally makes history by beating France in overtime 74-71 to reach the 2010 World Championships Quarterfinals in the Czech Republic. Spain spent most of the game down in the game and down by as most as 14pts. However, during the last period, despite missed layups and turnovers, determination by Spain’s Valdemoro in the final two minutes was key.

Valdemoro scored a game high 28pts, Spain’s second leading scorer behind Sancho Lyttle who was sidelined with a back injury, came up big during the final stretch.

Spain will face Team USA at 8:45 PM local time Czech Republic. Watch Live Streaming on MarcaTV.com and FibaTV.com

SPAIN, (14)(8)(21)(22)(9): Lyttle (11), Palau (5), Montañana (14), Valdemoro (28), Torrens (6) , Nicholls (-), Fernández (3), Lima (5), Pascua (-), Aguilar (-), Martínez (2) y Cruz (-).

FRANCE (16)(10)(26)(13)(6): Miyem (11), Beikes (4), Dumerc (10), Ndongue (14), Jannault (-),Lardy (4), Lepron (5), Amant (12), Digbeu (11), Gomis (-), Laborde (-) y Godin (-).

Video highlights from Spain vs USA (Global Community Cup) 85-86

Credit: FEB.es

Team USA started the game on fire and much better team play than yesterday’s performance against Lithuania. Spain started slow with a lot of missed shots and poor shooting percentages from the outside. The first half was competitive by both teams but Team USA lead at the half 45-33. Great performances by duo Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose helped Team USA create a nice lead at the half.

Navarro and Rubio have showed their quality and Gasol down low it was hard to stop Spain after the 3rd quarter as they eased back into the game. During the 4th quarter Spain stuck in it until the end. Top plays by Navarro, Gasol and Rubio helped them gain the first lead with 2mins left to go in the game. In the end, Team USA up by one 86-85, Spain with possession but an important defensive stop by Kevin Durant gave them the win.

Player of the Game: Kevin Durant (25 pts, 9/16, )

BOX SCORE

SPAIN 85 (16+17+25+27)Calderón (-), Navarro (20), Rudy Fernández (5), Garbajosa (4) y Marc Gasol (17) –starters– Mumbrú (3), Ricky Rubio (7), Reyes (16), Llull (4), Vázquez (8), San Emeterio (-), Claver (1).

USA (23+22+24+17): Rose (13), Billups (10), Durant (25), Iguodala (4) y Odom (12) –starters– Westbrook (8), Chadler (3), Rudy Gay (4), Curry (7), Gordon (-).

USA Basketball and the Spanish Basketball Federation announced that men’s world basketball powers United States and Spain will meet in an August exhibition game in Spain in preparation for the 2010 FIBA World Championship that is being held August 28-Sept. 12 in Turkey.

The USA-Spain exhibition will be the first matchup between the two powers since the 2008 Olympic gold medal game that has been described as one of the greatest international games ever played. The USA fought off a determined Spain squad 118-107 to earn gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Two years earlier, while the U.S. finished third at the 2006 FIBA World Championship after being stopped by Greece (101-95) in the semifinals, the Spaniards rolled over Greece 70-47 to claim World Championship title.

The date and time will be announced at a later date!