Spain have captured their second Basketball World Cup, defeating Argentina 95-75 in Beijing to complete a stunning campaign for a squad considered among the rank outsiders, when the 32-team tournament began.
The Spaniards scored first and never relinquished the lead, relying on swarming interior defence and superior rebounding to snuff out the offensive threat of 2004 Olympic champions Argentina.
Point guard Ricky Rubio racked up 20 points and three assists, and Marc Gasol and Willy Hernangomez blocked three shots each, as Spain pulled down 47 rebounds en route to a comprehensive victory.
Gasol won his second championship in three months, after helping the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA title in June.
Earlier in the day, Nando De Colo netted 19 points, as France took their second consecutive World Cup bronze medal with a 67-59 win over Australia.
The Tall Blacks finished the World Cup in 19th with a 3-2 record.
Reuters
