EuroBasket 2011 Finals Preview: Spain vs. France

Spain returns to the EuroBasket final for the third straight time and looks to defend their '09 title. This is France's first appearance in the EuroBasket final since 1949 (lost to Egypt) and Les Bleus is looking for their first Euro title ever. Spain has been in four of the last five Euro finals. Could have easily been five in a row, but a Dirk last second shot in '05 semis denied a Pau-less Spain a trip to the finals.Won't waste time rehashing the second round matchup between these teams as France sat Parker and Noah. Rather look at a game that mattered between these two teams when Pau Gasol played. Last time these two met in the EuroBasket knockout rounds, Spain overwhelmed a previously unbeaten France team in the 2009 quarterfinals, 86-66. In that game, Spain's scrambling defense gave France major issues, forcing bad passes all over the court. Spain had little concern for France's perimeter shooting ability. The Gasol Bros. paid very little attentio...