Photo: Feb.es
Spain started their route to the Eurobasket Gold, by winning their first friendly game against France 76-53 in Almeria, Spain. Everyone contributed on the floor and great team basketball was evident. Gasol led all scorers with 19pts for Spain, while Tony Parker had a team high 15 points for France. Spain came out strong with a 19-5 score during the first 5 minutes of the first period. At half-time Spain was up by 24 points (45-21) and never looked back and finished the game with a 23 point advantage.
Spain will face Lithuania on August 13th in Madrid. Click to view time and schedule.
View highlights from the game (voice in Spanish):
BOX SCORE
SPAIN, 77: José Manuel Calderón (3), Juan Carlos Navarro (9), Rudy Fernández, Marc Gasol (7), Pau Gasol (19), Ricky Rubio (2), Felipe Reyes (6), Víctor Claver (8), Fernando San Emeterio, Sergi Lull (4), Serge Ibaka (9), Carlos SUárez (3), Rafa Martínez (2), Víctor Sada (5), Xavi Rey
FRANCE, 53: Parker (15), De Colo (2), Batum, Diaw (6), Turiaf (10),Noah (6), Diot, Pietrus (5), Gelabale (9), M-Baye, Seraphin, Kahudi
With the marks of top Spanish National teams and figures such as Rafael Nadal who just won the Wimbledon after a 44 year drought for Spanish Players and the Spanish Soccer team who also won the Euro2008 after not winning in the 40s. The national teams for Spain both women and men are hoping to follow in those footsteps in Pekin during the Olympic Summer Basketball Games!