MUNICH (Germany) - The most dominant European national team of the new millennium, Spain clearly shifted through gears since the turn of the century.

The Iberian nation picked up five medals at FIBA EuroBasket from 1935 to 1999, without ever getting to climb the highest step of the podium. But since 1999, Spain have never missed the Semi-Finals of the continental event, claiming three gold medals in 2009, 2011 and 2015, two silvers in 2003 and 2007, and three third-place finishes, in 2001, 2013 and 2017.

Spain have made winning a habit since 2000. Even on the global stage, Spain are a two-time FIBA Basketball World Cup champions, in 2006 and 2019, and back-to-back runners-up at the Olympics in 2008 and 2012. A bronze medal in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 puts Spain at an incredible 13 podium finishes in the three major FIBA events over the past 20 years.

Their dominance is far from over, with the Spanish enjoying success in FIBA Youth Events, and the kids who grew up admiring Juan Carlos Navarro and the Gasol brothers now ready to take the torch at the senior national team. With their system in full effect, Spain are not likely to let go of their European basketball throne anytime soon.

FIBA