ESP/LTU - Kemzura's men overcome Gasols, Spain

KAUNAS (EuroBasket 2011) - A couple of European heavyweights looking to reach the London Games squared off for the second time this summer at the Kaunas Arena on Thursday and this time, Lithuania beat Spain.

Both sides will meet in Group A of the EuroBasket, a qualifying tournament for the Olympics.

Spain defeated Lithuania in Madrid earlier this month But Kestutis Kemzura's team, getting 16 points from Rimantas Kaukenas and 13 from Darius Songaila, prevailed this time 88-76.

"Lithuania was more aggressive that us during the first half and that cost us," Spain point guard Ricky Rubio said.

"On a positive note, we defended better and came up with steals and got easy baskets that gave us options to remain in the game.

"Unfortunately, they made their shots in the last minutes and won."

Basketball is the undisputed number one sport in Lithuania and that was evident by the 15,000-strong crowd in Kaunas.

"We have to congratulate the organizers and all of Lithuania for having an arena like this one," Rubio said.

"It is a pleasure to play in it and we would love to have these type of Arenas like this one in Spain."

Despite the win, the Lithuanians have a couple of concerns with center Robertas Javtokas injuring both elbows and Songaila hurting his hand.

Kemzura's team won, but a weakness in this side so far has been its inability to rebound.

Spain, who got 18 points from Pau Gasol and 17 from his brother, Marc, grabbed 45 boards to just 36 for the Baltic side.

The sides that reach the Final of the EuroBasket will earn trips to the London Games, while the teams that finish third, fourth, fifth and sixth will be invited to the 12-team FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

The EuroBasket, which has 24 teams, tips off on August 31.

FIBA