Spain down Lithuania to reach semis
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-08-29 17:21
SAITAMA, Japan, Aug 29 - Sharp-shooting Spain overpowered Lithuania 89-67 to
book a spot in the semi-finals of the world basketball championship on Tuesday.
Memphis Grizzlies' Pau Gasol led the way with 25 points as Spain extended
their winning streak to 16 games by reaching the tournament's last four for the
first time since 1982.
Spain blew the game open in a dominant first quarter capped by a spectacular
reverse dunk by Rudy Fernandez off an alley-oop pass from Sergio Rodriguez.
Gasol also finished with nine rebounds while Juan Carlos Navarro added 22
points for Spain, who have never won a major international title.
Darius Lavrinovic had a team-high 17 points for three-times Olympic bronze
medallists Lithuania.
Spain's best achievement to date was a silver medal at the 1984 Olympic
Games. They face either Olympic champions Argentina or Turkey in Friday's
semi-finals.
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