Eurosport - Sat, 19 Sep 23:43:00 2009
World champions Spain dominated Greece in a one-sided semi-final in Katowice to reach the EuroBasket final.
They won 82-64 and will now face Serbia in the final, following their dramatic 96-92 overtime win over Slovenia.
Sergio Scariolo's side were less than impressive in their group matches - and almost lost to Chris Finch's Great Britain in the preliminary round.
But they have found their form with every match.
Los Angeles Laker Pau Gasol was again Spain's star man - banking 18 points while Rudy Fernandez and Carlos Cabezas also impressed.
Greece lost to Spain at the same stage two years ago - but the winning margin then was a slender five points.
This time Spain dominated and soon opened up an advantage that peaked at a massive 23 points in the last quarter.
"Spain are probably the best team in the tournament," admitted Greece's Ioannis Kalampokis.
"In the first half we allowed them too many easy baskets, and it cost us later on in the game."
In the other semi-final, Serbian coach Duzan Ivkovic praised guard Milos Teodosic for another stand-out performance - a 32-point haul was coupled with four assists and two steals, while he also drained six from ten three-point attempts.
Elsewhere, Croatia's Roko-Leni Ukic scored 18 points as they beat reigning champions Russia 76-79, securing a place at next year's World Championship - their first appearance at the event in 16 years.
Meanwhile, Great Britain coach Finch will now be sweating on his side earning a Fiba wildcard invite to the event in Turkey next summer.
Britain lost to both EuroBasket finalists in their group - and beaten semi-finalists Slovenia.
"It was no surprise to us that our group has supplied three of the four semi-finalists for this Eurobasket 2009," said British Basketball performance director Chris Spice.
"We always thought the three teams that went through to the last eight were of top quality and them all winning their quarter finals games has proved this to be true.
"We can sit and wonder what might have happened had we had our full roster and been drawn in another group.
"In the end though, with these tournaments you have to play with who you've got and if we are to be regulars at the top table, then our goal has to improve and do better each time.
"We aim to be here again and to be one of those teams that is being talked about on the last weekend of the championship.
"Our 2011 campaign starts in earnest with our debrief on October 5th. Competing well at this level this year has only heightened our desire and focus for a great performance at London 2012."
Comment 1 - 12 of 12
I watching final live and is good show. check meczyki.pl can you watch live in computer
I agree with previous few comments. Why is NBA more important for EUROsport than semi-final and final of EUROPIAN Championship?!
This is pathethic. Not a mention of Serbia's victory over Slovenia. You have more headlines about NBA basketball than eurobasket on EUROsport website.
It is very, very sad, that being called EUROsport and being the EURObasket Eurosport do not broadcast the final. Really, really sad. Here in UK the final is changed for athletics and motorsport (nothing exciting) and BASEBALL (a very European sport, by the way) in British Eurosport2...not surprised that nobody want to pay to subscribe to Eurosport.
No metter what happens tonight, the Serbian basketball is out of the woods for good!!!!!
VIVA ESPAÑA. ESTA MEDALLA ES NUESTRA. SOMOS EL DREAM TEAM DE LA FIBA.
AUPA, AUPA , AUPA ESPAÑAAAAAAAAA
....Come on Eurosport....one sentence, only ONE about Serba's victory......we came to the final game and you talk about GB getting wild card...pleaseeeeee.there other counties in the Europe not just GB...
come on Serbiaaa!!!! :pppppppppppp
throne is coming back home!!!!! SRBIJA
This time Serbian team showed that someone can blast in the momment and define the game! I'm glad that Serbia come to Final after that awesome game in semis !! Hope to see really great game tommorow against Spain !!
Србиј а!!!!!
Bravo momci, a onaj Valjevac je luuuuuuuuuuuuuuud!!!!!!!!!
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