Spain, Serbia oust France, Russia

KATOWICE, Poland – World champion Spain pounded previously unbeaten France, 86-66, and Serbia eliminated defending champion Russia, 79-68, in the European basketball championship quarterfinals on Thursday.

Spain, looking for its first European title after finishing runner-up six times, including to Russia two years ago, will play either Greece or Turkey in the semifinals on Saturday. Serbia will face either Slovenia or Croatia.

Playing at the level that won it the world title in 2006, Spain dominated France, running up a 23-12 lead and extending the gap from there with hot shooting and a smothering defense.

“That was a tough game for us,” France forward Boris Diaw said. “They just played better than us from the first to the last minute. We were behind them pretty much the whole game, and trying to come back on a great team like Spain is tough.”

Pau Gasol led Spain with 28 points and nine rebounds, dominating in the paint on both ends by muscling down low for baskets on the offensive end, and blocking three shots and altering more on the defensive side.

And that was despite France throwing center Ronny Turiaf, forward Boris Diaw and Florent Pietrus at him.

“It’s no surprise – he’s one of the best players in the world,” Diaw said. “Obviously it’s difficult to play against him. You have to double-team him and because they have great players around, you can’t help because they have (Rudy) Fernandez and (Juan Carlos) Navarro who are great shooters.”

Spain coach Sergio Scariolo praised his team’s defensive effort, singling out Ricard Rubio and Raul Lopez for limiting France point guard Tony Parker to just 6 points.

“They did a fantastic job on Tony,” Scariolo said. “They were supported by the team, of course, but the individual effort was unbelievable.”

Serbia’s smothering defense helped to oust Russia.

Serbia turned up the defensive pressure in the second quarter to grab control.             (AP)