ESP - Pau Gasol misses final with foot injury

SAITAMA (FIBA World Championship) - Spain have confirmed their superstar power forward Pau Gasol is out of Sunday's FIBA World Championship final against Greece with a left foot injury.

Gasol, who had 19 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots in Spain's 75-74 semi-final triumph over Argentina, missed the end of the game after falling ackwardly under the challenge of Fabricio Oberto.

"Tests have confirmed that the player suffers from a partial fracture of his fifth metatarsal in his left foot and will miss the final," said a statement from the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB).

The loss of Gasol was expected with the player having been taken to hospital after the win over Argentina to have x-rays.

The player and his younger brother, Marc Gasol, were both in tears as they left the court in Saitama following the game with the realisation that Pau was suffering.

Gasol is devastated not to be a part of the game but will support his team-mates from the bench.

"I will try to be with my team-mates for whatever they need, but what really hurts me is not to be able to be on the court physically in order to help as I have done in the past in this tournament," he said.

"I hope that against Greece we will play a great game.

"We have nothing to envy Greece and we must firmly believe that we are a great team and that we have reached this final only through merit.

"A gold medal around my neck would take away all the pain that I'm currently feeling."

By Cindy Garcia-Bennett
FIBA