? ?
Sports / Basketball
Basketball: Russia crowned European champions
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-09-17 14:09
MADRID -- Russia stunned hosts and world champions Spain 60-59 in the
European championship final to win the gold medal?in?Madrid?on Sunday.
Jon Robert Holden sank the winning two-pointer with two seconds
remaining, leaving the hot favourite Spain with the silver.
Russia's National Basketball team celebrate on the podium after winning
their final game against Spain at European Basketball Championship in
Madrid September 16, 2007.? [Reuters]
Thus, Russia earned the automatic qualification to the 2008 Olympic Games
in Beijing. Spain have already qualified.
Russia last won the gold in 1985 as the USSR, making it their 15th gold
medal in the Euros. It was Spain's sixth failure in the final and they
have never won gold.
Russia's Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko scored a game-high 17 points
and was voted the tournament's MVP. He was supported by Victor Khryapa
with 12 rebounds and seven points.
"Our plan was to stay in the game and make them feel the heat, the
pressure of 15,000 fans, and to see how they play. Fortunately, we did
that and we won," said Russian coach David Blatt.
In front of the passionate home support, Spain tore into Russia at the
start and opened up a 12-point lead early in the second quarter.
But Blatt's side tightened up in defence, and slowly reeled them back to
trail 34-31 at halftime.
Russia's Zakhar Pashutin sank a three-pointer to level for the first time
at 49-49 at the start of the fourth and it was neck and neck until the
closing seconds when Holden gave Russia the one point advantage.
Spain had two seconds to respond but Pau Gasol's last shot bounced on the
rim and out as the buzzer went.
Jose Manuel Calderon led Spain with 15 points and Gasol added 14, the
only two to make double figures.
"I am going to think about all our errors, but I am not going to wash our
dirty linen in public now. We deserved to win and nothing else is a
compensation," said Spain coach Pepu Hernandez.
"This is the best basketball team in Spain's history and still has an
extraordinary future in front of it."
Lithuania took bronze after beating 2005 winners Greece 78-69 in the
third-place playoff match. The victory also earned Lithuania automatic
qualification to the Beijing Olympics.
Ksistof Lavrinovic top scored for the 2003 gold medallists with 19
points, supported by Ramunas Siskauskas and Linas Kleiza with 13 each.
Greek guard Nikolaos Zisis notched a game-high 23 points for the former
champions, who trailed from midway through the second quarter.
Earlier, Germany beat Croatia 80-71 to finish fifth and Slovenia overcame
France 88-74 to end up seventh.
Greece, Germany, Croatia and Slovenia enter the pre-Olympic qualifying
tournament next July.
Top Sports News ?
* Brazil break duck with Robinho hat-trick
* China coach tries to save job in Asian Cup
* NFL hopes its game doesn't get lost in translation in China
* Late starters face uphill task in China
* LA Galaxy to present Beckham on July 13
Today's Top News ?
* World prosperity hinges on China - Greenspan
* Party Constitution to be amended
* East China braces for Wipha
* High prices to 'persist' next year
* Beijing: Prepared for grave situations
Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours
Learn Chinese online, Learning Materials, Mandarin audio lessons, Chinese writing lessons, Chinese vocabulary lists, About chinese characters, News in Chinese, Go to China, Travel to China, Study in China, Teach in China, Dictionaries, Learn Chinese Painting, Your name in Chinese, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese songs, Chinese proverbs, Chinese poetry, Chinese tattoo, Beijing 2008 Olympics, Mandarin Phrasebook, Chinese editor, Pinyin editor, China Travel, Travel to Beijing, Travel to Tibet
No comments:
Post a Comment