Marc Gasol's Top 10 Spain games

BARCELONA (Spain) - Marc Gasol this week drew the curtain on his long and successful playing career in basketball, one that saw him reach the heights of the sport in international basketball with Spain and also in the NBA.

 

The Barcelona-born pivot is one of the most decorated players in FIBA history.

Gasol, 39, won FIBA Basketball World Cups in 2006 and 2019, FIBA EuroBaskets in 2009 and 2011 and played in Olympic Finals in 2008 and 2012. He reached the podium of major events on numerous other occasions. For a more complete view on his international career which featured 191 games for his country, check out his FIBA Player Profile page here.

Gasol's NBA career started in 2008 with the Memphis Grizzlies, and gradually built his legacy from there. He was Defensive Player of the Year in 2013, a three-time All-Star 2012, 2015 and 2017, and, most importantly, an NBA champion in 2019 with the Toronto Raptors.

Having launched his professional career in Europe, and been named the best player in Spain's ACB in 2008 as the center of Akasvayu Girona (CB Girona), Gasol took off on his NBA adventure and returned to his homeland in 2021 to end his playing days with the club he founded in 2014, Basquet Girona.

Marc Gasol's enduring legacy with Spain is characterized by a commitment to winning, unwavering consistency, and a strong defensive presence. He gracefully shared the court and garnered accolades alongside basketball legends, including his older brother, Pau.

While Gasol's individual statistics might not always be the most eye-catching, his impact on the team transcends mere numbers. Together with the other members of La Familia, Gasol has played a pivotal role in making Spain one of the most successful national teams in the history of basketball. With that in mind, here are his top games with Spain. 

1. Spain 95 Australia 88 (Double Overtime), World Cup 2019 Semi-Finals

In a compelling FIBA Basketball World Cup drama, Gasol put Spain on his back and carried it to victory with 33 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two blocks. He was 11 of 19 from the floor and made all eight of his free-throws in this double-overtime thriller. He only had four points at half-time but went on to score 29 the rest of the way.

2. Spain 95 Argentina 75, World Cup 2019 Final

A clash of titans as Marc Gasol blocks Luis Scola's shot

Gasol capped another magnificent World Cup against Argentina. Not only did he score 14 points, most of them at the free-throw line where he sank nine of 12 attempts, but Gasol used his elite passing and also swatted three shots to go with two steals. After it was over, Gasol was named to the World Cup's All-Star Five.

3. Spain 84 Germany 72, FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Quarter-Finals

Gasol was electric as Spain marched into the Semi-Finals in Istanbul. He finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals. Spain trailed in the third quarter but Gasol caught fire and scored 16 of his points to help his country win the frame, 31-20.

4. Spain 66 France 59, Olympic Games 2012 Quarter-Finals

Marc Gasol was too much to handle for France's Ronny Turiaf at the center position

A star-studded France were in position for an upset but Spain, with Gasol scoring 14 points and grabbing eight rebounds, won with their lowest-scoring game of the Olympics.

5. Spain 73 Iran 65, World Cup 2019 First Round

Gasol had to be at his best for Spain to avoid a colossal upset against Hamed Haddadi and Iran and remain on course for the Final Phase. The big man, who had 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and a steal, buried a jump shot with just over four minutes remaining to tie the game at 62-62. Then, with 20 seconds to go, he drilled a three-pointer from the top of the key to help clinch victory.

6. Spain 91 Lebanon 57, World Cup 2010 First Round

Two more points for Marc with a nice hook-shot

With Spain in danger of going off the rails after two defeats in their first three games in Turkey, Gasol dominated with his tournament-high 25 points, 8 rebounds, one block and one steal.  He was 10 of 14 from the field.

7. Spain 100 USA 107, Olympic Games 2012 Gold Medal Game

Marc scored one point per minute against USA Basketball

Gasol picked up his fourth foul right before half-time but avoided a fifth which would have kept him out of this important game. In 17 minutes, he scored 17 big points to help Spain stay within striking distance in London against the defending champions.

8. Spain 70 Greece 47, World Cup 2006 Final

Pau was the World Cup MVP but Marc was the Gasol holding the paint during the Final

The numbers weren't big, yet with Pau injured and unable to play against Greece, who had just upset USA 101-95, Spain needed all hands on deck. The younger Gasol battled in all 17 of his minutes and had seven rebounds to go with his two points. A late addition to the squad after Fran Vazquez withdrew because of a back injury, Gasol became a valuable teammate. He used the experience as a launchpad for an amazing career.

9. Spain 107 USA 118, Olympic Games 2008 Gold Medal Game

In a game against the heavily-favored USA "Redeem Team" that had already thumped Spain in the Preliminary Round, Gasol was ready to take on the best like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. Not long after his MVP season in the ACB and right before he started his NBA career, he had 11 points and five rebounds in 24 minutes in what many called the best Olympic Games Final ever.

10. Spain 92 Croatia 66, FIBA EuroBasket 2013 Third-Place Game

Marc Gasol's will to win was unmatched

It's always better to leave a tournament on the back of a win, even if it's not in a Final. After a 19-point, 9-rebound effort in a Semi-Finals defeat to France, Gasol was breathing fire when he showed up with a spot on the podium at stake and had 17 points and eight rebounds against Croatia.

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