Spain clinch 2nd basketball World Cup title after a dominating win
In the final, held at the packed 18,000-seat Beijing's Wukesong Arena on Sunday, Spain's basketball men's national team won its second FIBA World Cup crown after overcoming Argentina 95-75 in the summit clash. Argentina's Gabriel Deck was the top scorer of the game with 24 points.
Spain's basketball men's national team won its second Fédération Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) World Cup crown after overcoming Argentina 95-75 in the summit clash. In the final held at the packed 18,000-seat Beijing's Wukesong Arena on Sunday, Spain relied on aggressive attacking play throughout the course of the game to end with a 20-point victory against its Argentine rival.
It appeared to be a different Argentina team that showed up for the final; this was a team that appeared to be the opposite of the side that had put on outstanding performances over this year's World Cup campaign, such as victories against powerhouses Serbia (97-87) and France (80-66).
Argentina's Gabriel Deck was the top scorer of the game with 24 points, but it was not enough for his team to be as competitive as they were expected to be.
Ricky Rubio was the top scorer on the Spanish team with Marc Gasol putting on an outstanding performance. Claiming 14 points, seven assists, and seven rebounds, all of which helped the squad to emerge victorious. The center, Gasol, who also plays for the Raptors, became the second player to win a World Cup and an N.B.A. title in the same year completing the rare double.
Following the win, Spain's royal family posted a message of congratulations on Twitter: "You have the courage of the champions! No one in the world plays basketball better than you!"
