Marc of greatness

I feel very fortunate to be in this position, to play this game and help these guys

MARC Gasol wins the World Cup title three months after clinching an NBA crown. AFP

BEIJING, China (AFP) — Three-time All-Star Marc Gasol became only the second player to win an NBA crown and the World Cup title at the same year following Spain’s emphatic 95-75 win over Argentina in the gold-medal match on Sunday.

Spain, which survived double overtime against Australia to reach the finals, led from start to finish to win international basketball’s biggest prize a second time.

The previous occasion was in 2006 with the two Gasol brothers, Marc and older sibling Pau, on the team.

Pau did not play in China due to an injury.

The latest triumph was particularly sweet for the 34-year-old center Gasol, who three months ago also played a key part in the Toronto Raptors’ run to the NBA title.

Gasol, who had 14 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, joins Lamar Odom, a double winner in 2010 with the United States and Los Angeles Lakers.

“What can I say? How does it sound to you?” Gasol told reporters of his personal feat.

“I feel very fortunate to be in this position, to play this game and help these guys.”

“All of the things you sacrifice, it’s worth it. What a year, what an amazing year.”

Surprise finalist Argentina had not triumphed since it hosted the inaugural World Cup in 1950.

As a contest, the final was over by the fourth quarter, although the Argentines rallied to reduce Spain’s previously mighty lead for a time.

Fans of both teams made it feel more like a football match, decked out in their national colors, chanting loudly and refusing to sit down.

Spain, for whom Ricky Rubio of the Phoenix Suns was afterwards named the tournament Most Valuable Player, surged into a 14-2 lead.

Led by its slick-haired Italian coach Sergio Scariolo, Spain was up, 21-14, going into the second quarter and increased its advantage to 43-31 at halftime.

With Rubio prominent, drilling 20 points, Spain never looked like surrendering its lead, repeatedly thwarting Argentina’s suffocated offense.

Gasol said Spain’s defense, which limited Argentine talisman Luis Scola to eight points, was the bedrock of their victory.

“Defensively we improved game by game, our concentration, our determination, our consistency,” he said.

Several of the Spain players had tears in their eyes as they collected the trophy.

Argentina’s coach Sergio Hernandez said the better team won.

“No excuse, we were not tired, we were not satisfied because we wanted to win,” he said.

“For me, we won the silver medal, we didn’t lose the gold medal.”

France roared back after halftime to defeat Australia, 67-59, and claim a second World Cup bronze in a row — and extend the Boomers’ long wait for a major medal.

Turkish-based guard Nando de Colo led all scorers with 19 points for France and Nicolas Batum had nine points, six assists, three rebounds and three steals.

One of the tallest teams in the tournament, the French defeated reigning two-time holders the United States in the quarterfinals, but then lost heavily to Argentina.

“For us it’s something very, very special and important we did it after a very difficult first half,” French coach Vincent Collet said.

“Many teams could have given up, even easy shots we were missing in the first half.”

“We started to move the ball better in the second half and that’s why we won this game.”

It is still the best finish for the Boomers, who had never gone beyond the quarterfinals at 11 previous World Cups, but they are yet to claim a medal at the worlds or Olympics.

Deposed champion the United States, which was missing its elite names, finished seventh, its lowest position in tournament history.

The Americans did, at least, qualify to defend their Olympic title in Tokyo next summer.

With 32 teams, this was the biggest-ever Basketball World Cup.

The next one will be in 2023 in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines.