EuroBasket : Spain on top of Europe after beating France in the final

Spain was crowned European champion this Sunday in Berlin after beating France with such greatness in the final (88-76).

“La Roja” did not give any chance to Vincent Collet’s men. The teammates of the veteran Rudy Fernandez have made the perfect collective game to return to the European Gold. An exceptional address, coupled with a suffocating intensity. The “Scariolo” method paid off for the fourth time at the EuroBasket, after 2009, 2011 and 2015.

The French team, favorite of the bookmakers, fell to the surprising Spanish, who was claimed 6th favorite at the beginning of the competition. The players can not hide their disappointment after the game, like Rudy Gobert in a press conference :

“Two lost finals in two years, it’s hard. I’m tired of silver medals. There is a lot of disappointment. It was a dream for me to have this gold medal around my neck. We are proud of the course but it is not what we wanted.”

The Tricolores thought they were rid of the Gasol brothers. Now they have the right to both Hernangomez. Willy compiled 14 points and 8 rebounds, and Juancho 27 and 5 assists. The latter especially made a festival of three-point baskets in the first half that disarmed France.

Willy Hernangomez finished MVP of the tournament. Juancho takes the MVP of the Final.

The Spanish were dominant for most of the game and caused 19 loose balls on the French side (compared to 9). The french captain, Evan Fournier (23 points at 4/8 three-points), recognized the Spanish superiority and noted the missed appointment of France, so close to gold in an international competition.

“It’s hard to take. They dominated us head and shoulders. They played very well and targeted us well. Our defense was absent tonight. They attacked well and they were patient. Beyond the ball losses, it was mostly the defense that was a problem. We didn’t have confidence.”

Photo : Willy Hernangomez (FIBA)