Le Basketbawl

The Spanish National team has already faced Team USA once in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It was not in any way, shape, or form, a contest that could be construed as a positive, as the United States handily beat them 119-82. Well Spain has a chance to make up for that lopsided loss this Sunday as they will take on the USA after defeating Lithuania 91-86 Friday. The victory in the Tournament’s semi-final round, means that Spain will be playing the United States Sunday for the Gold Medal.

This game went back and forth for three quarters before Spain pulled away in the fourth. Spain had a slim 21-19 lead at the end of the first quarter. Lithuania turned the tables in the second quarter and went into the locker room at the half ahead 42-40. The Lithuanians were still on top at the end of three quarters as they had a 66-62 advantage going into the final period. Fernandez who came out of the game in the third after knocking noggins with Lithuanian player Ksistof Lavrinovic came back into the contest in the fourth quarter, and he and Gasol led the team to the win.

Gasol led the Spanish squad with 19 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, Fernadez scored 18 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal in the win. Felipe Reyes scored 13 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, Carlos Jiminez scored 11 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal.

Sarunas Jasikevicius scored 19 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals. Simas Jasaitis came off the bench and scored 19 points, 8 boards, 2 assists, in the loss. Lithuania will face Argentina for the Bronze Medal.