Spain survive Lithuania test to reach final

Fri Aug 22, 2008 10:15am EDT
 
[-] Text [+]

By Alastair Himmer

BEIJING (Reuters) - World champions Spain survived a fright to beat Lithuania 91-86 and advance to the Olympic men's basketball final on Friday.

The Spaniards will play either the United States or 2004 champions Argentina in Sunday's Beijing final after a physical game of flying elbows and flagrant fouls.

Forward Pau Gasol scored 19 points, while guard Rudy Fernandez sparked a fourth-quarter charge to add 18 as Spain fought back from four points down after three periods.

Spain's only Olympic medal in men's basketball came at the 1984 Games when they took silver behind the U.S. Their only loss in Beijing was a 119-82 blowout by the Americans in the group stage.

(Editing by Jeremy Laurence)

 
Photo

Editor's Choice

A selection of our best photos from the past 24 hours.   Slideshow 

Most Popular on Reuters

  • Articles
  • Video