By Vivem Soriano
Eagle News Service
Pau Gasol scored 26 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to lead Spain to a 93-85 bronze medal game victory over Russia.
Spain led by as much as 17 points during the 3rd quarter but a determined Russia squad came within four with less than two minutes late in the game.
The Russians were waxing out from the outside but Vitaly Fridzon badly missed a three-point shot which would have cut the lead down to a single point as Spain held on for the win.
Pau’s brother, Marc Gasol, missed most of the 2nd quarter due to an injury but came back later in the game and chipped in 25 points.
Alexei Shved scored 18 while Timofey Mozgov had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Russians.
Spain was the favorite to win this year’s Eurobasket but was upset by tournament-surprise Slovenia in the semi-finals.
Spain’s bronze medal win though will be their sixth straight Eurobasket podium finish.
This game will also be the last Eurobasket stints for Spanish legends Pau Gasol and team skipper Juan Carlos Navarro as both will be retiring from the international game at the tournament’s conclusion.
