Spain went on to tie France by outscoring Les Bleus, 18-10, in the fourth quarter, with an off-the-dribble bounce from Gasol providing a major spark in the waning moments of regulation.
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France led by 11 in the second quarter but Spain was never far behind and finished strongly. Both he and Parker missed critical free throws in overtime.
Pau Gasol has been nothing short of spectacular during EuroBasket 2015 for the Spanish National Team.
Three years ago, we thought we had seen Gasol at his peak for the last time.
When Tony Parker took France to the semifinals against Spain in Eurobasket 2015, we told you it would be a classic game. Gasol was obviously the star, but Gobert made important defensive plays, as he normally does, blocking a shot to send the game into overtime among other things.
Spain will play the victor of Friday’s semifinal, Lithuania vs. Serbia, in the gold medal game on Sunday.
Spain had given France a taste of their own medicine and found perdition for their defeat to France in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, in Madrid.
Batum, of course, is no guest of honor in the state of Spain after the events of the 2012 Olympics.
“He’s definitely reached out to players, to everyone on the team personally”, Gasol shared. France went over three minutes without scoring to allow the visitors back in the game, though Nicolas Batum’s turnaround three-pointer and Rudy Gobert’s block of Gasol ensured OT. Batum (3-for-14 shooting) and Nando De Colo (6-for-12) each had 14 points for Spain. Knowing that we have significant players that are not here this year, I knew I would have to carry a little more responsibility.
Earlier on Thursday, Greece beat Latvia and Italy beat the Czech Republic to earn bids to the qualifying tournaments.
First of the classification games and ticket for the next summer pre- Olympics qualifying tournaments was played between Greece and Latvia.
Italy took home the win over Czech Republic 70-85.
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The losing semifinalists also will take part in Olympic qualifying.
