Basketball: Spain romp to world title

Sharp-shooting Spain blasted past Greece 70-47 to win their first gold at the world basketball championship last night.

NBA-bound Jorge Garbajosa and guard Juan Carlos Navarro scored 20 points apiece as Spain overcame the absence of talismanic Memphis Grizzlies forward Pau Gasol to win their first major international title.

Garbajosa, who has just signed for the Toronto Raptors, sank six three-pointers and pulled down 10 rebounds to lead Spain past Greece, the European champions.

Back-to-back threes from Garbajosa blew the game open for Spain, giving them a 14-point advantage with 8:15 to go in the second quarter and they went in at halftime leading 43-23.

The gap was still 20 points after three quarters and the Greeks, who had shocked tournament favourites the United States in the semi-finals, never threatened a late fightback.

Spain's win was their 18th straight after a string of victories in pre-tournament games.

Gasol, who led Spain in points and rebounding, broke a metatarsal in Friday's epic 75-74 semifinal win over Argentina.

The NBA all-star hobbled on to the court on crutches and watched the game from the bench.

- REUTERS