Spain end French EuroBasket 2015 dreams on night of giants

LILLE (EuroBasket 2015) - On a night that will be remembered through generations, Pau Gasol produced a performance for the ages to end France's EuroBasket title defence while Vassilis Spanoulis brought his international career to a close.

The first Semi-Final of EuroBasket 2015 attracted 26,922 spectators who wanted to witness the modern classic of European basketball between France and Spain at Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille, a figure which sets a new record for a basketball game played indoors in Europe.

The overwhelmingly French crowd however had their dreams of a title repeat for Les Bleus shattered by Spain who prevailed 80-75 after overtime in a memorable clash that became an instant classic of European basketball.

Spain came back from an 11-point third-quarter deficit and a Sergio Rodriguez lay-up lifted them to a 66-63 lead with 16 seconds remaining in regulation, but Nicolas Batum knocked down a three-pointer to tie the scores and send the game in the extra period.

Batum however missed three crucial free-throws with 15 seconds left in overtime and Gasol, who poured in an international career-high 40 points and added 11 rebounds to power the winners, signed off Spain's historic triumph with a dunk at the final buzzer.

Spain had given France a taste of their own medicine and found perdition for their defeat to France at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, in Madrid.

"Last year was very hard for us, for our team to lose in the Quarter-Finals but it happens and they deserved it, they worked harder for it and we came out flat and we paid the price," Gasol said.

"So I wanted to win tonight.

"It was not payback or anything, it was just winning a very difficult game against the team which I think were the favourites for the tournament in front of their fans.

"I was obviously extremely motivated tonight, as I have been through the tournament."

Meanwhile, France captain Boris Diaw emphasised that he was proud of his team and the hosts executed their plan to perfection for 37 minutes.

"I am disappointed for the loss but not for my team, or the way we played," Diaw said.

"We will try to at least play to win the bronze in front of our fans."

In the first classification game for 5th-8th place, Greece rallied to outscore Latvia 97-90 and secured a berth in next summer's FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs) but what happened next quickly took away from their players any celebratory mood.

Spanoulis stepped off the court and promptly announced to TV station ANT1 that this was his last game in the national team jersey.

"The time has come, the cycle has closed, it is time for the youngsters to step up," Spanoulis said.

A few minutes later, Greece captain Nikos Zisis and big man Yannis Bourousis followed the example of the Greek superstar and also announced they were calling a day on their national team career.

All three players were the last remaining members of the Greek side which won the title at EuroBasket 2005, while Spanoulis and Zisis helped the team to a runners-up finish at the 2006 World Cup in Japan.

In the other classification game for 5th to 8th place, Italy pulled away from the Czech Republic in the third quarter and raced to an 85-70 victory behind 21 points by Andrea Bargnani.

Greece finish in fifth place and Italy right behind them, with the tournament now concluded for both these teams.

Meanwhile Latvia and the Czech Republic clash on Friday in the crucial game for seventh place that will determine which of these teams earns the last ticket to the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Go to eurobasket2015.org for complete coverage of EuroBasket 2015.

FIBA