Wed, July 11, 2012
MADRID, July 11 (Xinhua) -- The Spanish basketball team continued its preparation for the London Olympic Games with a convincing 81-65 win over France late on Tuesday night.
The game served to show that after just 10 days of working together, the side which won the Olympic silver medal in Beijing four years ago has once again to be considered among the favorites to make the podium in London.
Spain had already beaten Olympic hosts Britain 78-74 in a tightly contested match in the first of their eight preparation matches on Monday.
Coach Sergio Scariolo used the game to give minutes to all of his squad, with the exception of shooting guard, Juan Carlos Navarro, who is putting the finishing touches to his recovery from a foot injury.
He was rewarded with a powerful display from Pau and Marc Gasol, who were almost unstoppable under the hoop, while shooting guard Sergi Llull was top scorer for Spain with 15 points, to help show that there is plenty of cover available for Navarro should he struggle to make his top form.
Following the game Scariolo said he was satisfied with the intensity the Spanish had shown in their defensive work.
Spain's next game is on July 13, when they face Tunisia in Salamanca and they have five further friendly games before starting their Olympic campaign against China on July 29.
