Huge play by Pau Gasol and Juan Carlos Navarro lead Spain to their first win over Poland during the first game of the Eurobasket Championships. During the first period Spain lead 22-15 and the second period Navarro was on fire by scoring 11 points straight and helped stretch Spain’s lead to 17 points. Poland reacted in the 3rd period and planned a zone defense on Spain who struggled. Spain played static and without much movement, however they bounced back in the final period. With big baskets by team captains Navarro and Gasol secured the win.
Box Score
Spain 83 (22-22-17-22)
Pau Gasol (29), Rudy (4), Ricky (0), Navarro (23), Calderón (0), Reyes (1), Claver (0), San Emeterio (3), Llull (0), Marc Gasol (16), Ibaka (7) y Sada (0).
Poland 78 (15-16-21-26)
Berisha (0), Lapeta (0), Skibniewski (4), Waczynski (0), Pamula (3), Leonczyk (6), Szewczyk (10), Kelati (18), Szczotka (6), Wisniewski (0), Hrycaniuk (12), Koszarek (19).
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!