Pau Propels Spain to Semis

Lakers forward Pau Gasol dropped 20 as Spain took care of business against Croatia 72-59 in the quarterfinals at the Beijing Games.  Gasol added a game-high 10 rebounds as well, showing himself to be the top player on one of the best squads in the Olympics.  Gasol was injured and cheering from the bench when Spain won the FIBA World Championship in 2006.  Spain will face Lithuania in the semifinals.

Despite turning in some lackluster performances and eeking out some games against opponents they should have crushed, Spain is still very much in the running for the gold medal.  They should beat Lithuania and reach the finals where they will be met by the winner of the other semifinals matchup between the United States and Argentina.  They’ll most likely face the U.S. in the gold medal game, a team that bested the Spaniards by more than 30 points in group play.  But the players did not play up to their ability and are definitely a threat to the powerhouse Americans.  With a number of NBA veterans and plenty of future participants, this squad is as talented as any that the U.S. will face.  Most basketball pundits have been expecting a U.S. vs. Spain gold medal game, and both teams are just one win away from making it happen.

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Posted in General on August 21, 2008

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