Spain, US reach quarters of basketball world cup

Derrick Rose

Madrid, Sep 7 (IANS)

Hosts Spain and the US booked their place in the quarter-finals of the FIBA Basketball World Cup thanks to convincing victories in their respective matches.

The Spanish, led once again by a towering display from Pau Gasol, may have struggled on three-point throws, especially in the first two quarters, but that was more than compensated by a devastating efficiency on their two-point field goals Saturday, reports Xinhua.

The Spanish defence once again showed itself to be the most powerful in the tournament to snuff out the challenge of the Africans in front of a delighted packed house in Madrid's Palacio de Deportes.

Spain will play France in the quarterfinals after the latter defeated Croatia 69-64.

Earlier, the US were the first team to book their place in the quarterfinals with a 86-63 win over Mexico.

The Americans were rarely in trouble in the game played in Barcelona's Palau San Jordi, leading Mexico by a comfortable if not convincing 42-27 at halftime as both sides surrendered possession with too much ease.

The third quarter saw the US assure their victory as they scored 24 points to 11 by the Mexicans and with a 27 point lead that allowed them to relax in the final 10 minutes knowing that they had booked their place in the last eight.

Stephen Curry was the standout player for the Americans as he hit the target with six out of his nine three-point throws, while Thompson's 15 points and 5 defensive rebounds were also important in the win.

The US will play Slovenia, whose passing game was enough to beat the power play of the Dominican Republic.