Ricky Rubio played a starring role as Spain regained the FIBA World Cup by defeating Argentina 95-75 in the final in Beijing on Sunday.
Phoenix Suns guard Rubio was named MVP after he combined 20 points with seven rebounds and three assists to lead Spain to the title for the first time since 2006.
Sergio Llull added 15 off the bench for Sergio Scariolo’s side, while NBA champion Marc Gasol had 14 points with seven rebounds, seven assists, three blocks and two steals.
Spain’s success owed a lot to a stoic defensive display, with Argentina forward Luis Scola kept scoreless in the first half of the showpiece.
Scola and Facundo Campazzo combined for three-of-21 shooting from the field, with Gabriel Deck’s haul of 24 points insufficient to inspire Argentina to a late comeback.
Spain started the first quarter with a 14-2 run and then began the second half by going 12-2 to open up a comfortable advantage they never looked like surrendering.
France took third place for the second successive World Cup after coming from 15 points down in the second half to defeat Australia 67-59.
