FIBA World Cup hosts Spain saw their hopes of taking the title on home soil evaporate as they went down to France, who prevailed 65-52 in a quarter-final game the Spaniards will want to quickly forget as they endured a horror show in Madrid.
The home team had no answer for the uncompromising defensive line-up prepared by France coach Vincent Collet, who saw his team dominate the physical exchanges and take 50 rebounds to Spain’s 28, guaranteeing a constant flow of possession.
San Antonio Spurs forward Boris Diaw led the way with 15 points, but Rudy Gobert also shined thanks to 13 rebounds. Gobert effectively muzzled Spanish icon Pau Gasol, who nevertheless netted 17 points, but a horrific 32 percent field goal accuracy and just 2 out of 22 three point attempts made meant Spain were always playing catch-up in the quarter-final.
France set the tone early on, leading 11-2 after three minutes with three triples, and although Spain fought back the visitors pulled away in the fourth quarter to seal a convincing upset.
Serbia will be the next opponent for the French in the semi-final, to be played on Friday. The European side blew away Brazil 84-56 in today’s earlier fixture to join Lithuania and USA in the last-four.
buenosairesherald.com