OS Beijing 2008 Paralympics Olympics Pekin

World cup winners Spain had to win this game against Croatia, to preserve their image and to move on into the semi-finals. What was bid on to be an intense and close basketball game, turned into a complete dominance for the Spaniards (12-1 run in 1^st quarter), leading in the 4 quarters and winning at the end 72-59.

Spain’s players just bought the 1^st basketball ticket into the semi-final game of the tournament here in Beijing’s Olympics, led by Pau Gasol’s 20 points and 20 rebounds.

Rebounding was in favor of the world champions (36-29), clearly jumping higher on defensive and offensive recoveries, allowing them to score many points under the basket, not to mention the 3 pointers; Juan Calderon made 2 out of 2 before being substituted, a growing injury that compelled the coach to replace him. Despite the Spanish worries of their team mate’s spoil, they kept on focusing on their game, taking advantage of the pre-built score difference.

Croatia’s betting on 3 points shots aimed to dislocate the Spanish defense under the basket, but with their razor-sharp shooter Marko Popovic on the injury list, every long range shot was twisting away

Croatia made 26% (5 of 19 shots) from long range,

And a field goals average of 38%

At the final shrill, Spain’s basketball jerseys celebrated jumping into the semi finals, to play against Lithuania.

In a TV interview ahead of this basketball game, Pau was asked about the match with the Dream team, where Spain was fiercely destroyed, giving the sports news a delight story to talk about. The NBA star Gasol said that he is over it now, and that his team wasn’t up to their usual level, assuring all the Spanish fans that if a 2^nd game against the USA was to be played, it will definitely have a different scenario. A bidding that looks a little bit provocative from the Spanish star, maybe a message to the Dream team from a side, and to the fans of betting to think twice before picking a side on the betting panels or on sports betting sites.