Immigrant Life in Spain: The 2015 EuroBasket final was held in France on the 20th. After a rocky group stage, the Spanish team defeated Lithuania 80-63. EuroBasket MVP Pau Gasol recorded a double-double in the game, helping Spain reclaim the EuroBasket championship.
Not content with only winning the bronze medal two years ago, the Spanish team overcame a slow start in this EuroBasket tournament. Despite losing two of their first three games, they fought back to win their third championship in the last four EuroBasket tournaments. For Lithuania, this marks their second consecutive runner-up finish since losing to France in the 2013 final.
"This is an incredible championship," said Pau Gasol. "We struggled from the beginning, but the whole team rallied when our backs were against the wall and responded very well. We knew we had to improve our defense."
With King Felipe VI of Spain and Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal cheering from the stands, the final was a one-sided affair. The Spanish team led by 13 points in the first quarter and faced virtually no real challenge throughout the match.
Pau Gasol finished with 25 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks, with zero turnovers. He was subsequently named the EuroBasket MVP. "To be able to perform like this at this stage of my career is truly meaningful," said the 35-year-old Chicago Bulls player. "This is something I will remember for the rest of my life."
Spain and Lithuania will qualify directly for next year's Rio Olympics as the EuroBasket champion and runner-up. The third to seventh-place teams from this tournament will participate in the Olympic qualifying tournament.