Juan Carlos Navarro was Spain's inspiration with 27 points, as an initially even game swung Spain's way during the first quarter as they raced into a 40-31 lead.

France rallied after their star Tony Parker was taken out by Rudy Fernández, earning him a foul, from which the Frenchmen netted two free throws to bring his side back into it.

Spain were soon back in control though as they increased their lead to 50-41 at half time, before Navarro took control in the third quarter with nine points to increase the lead to 13 points.

Eventually France, as their Davis Cup team did earlier in the day when Rafa Nadal put Jo Tsonga to the sword, succumbed to defeat.

Spain's Pau Gasol, who also plays for the LA Lakers, told reporters after the final that the Spanish side would be aiming for gold in 2012, having lost out in the Beijing 2008 final to the USA.

"It's a very sweet moment for [Spanish] basketball...next year's Olympics is our goal," he said.

"It's very hard to beat a US team, we know it's a very tough tournament to win but we have very high expectations."


Parker, who finished with 26 points, credited Spain with a great win after the game, saying: "They played great and we can learn a lot from that.

"That's where we want to be as a team.

"They've been together for more than six years and it makes a huge difference...I know what it's like after winning three titles with the San Antonio Spurs."

Four other teams harbour hopes of qualifying for the London Olympics next year after Macedonia, Russia, Lithuania and Greece made it to the final qualifying tournament, which takes place at the start of July 2012.

The European quartet will join the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rica, Venezuela, Angola, Nigeria, New Zealand and two as yet to be determined Asian representatives, who will be decided at their regional basketball championship in China later this month.

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