USA vs Spain WCB 2002, Indianapolis. 5th - 6th place (II)
Match played on Indianapolis at the FIBA World cup of basket on 2002. It faced The U.S.A. and Spain, two of the best teams on that tournament that always thought they would face each other in the final... but the USA lost to the Stojakovic's Yugoslavia and Spain lost to the Nowitzki's Germany, so they had no chance but to play fot a 5th - 6th position. It was already a dissapointment for both national teams not to qualify for the semi finals, so they played very willingly to take the best they could from the broken dreams for them at that WC. U.S.A. team was formed by: Reggie Miller (best last NBA campaign 3pt shooter), Andre Miller (best assistant), Ben Wallace (best defender), Elton Brand, Antonio Davis, Michael Finley, Raef LaFrentz (best blocker), Baron Davis, Shawn Marion, Jermaine O'neal, Paul Pierce and the rising star Jay Williams. Head Coach: George Karl Spain had in their files: Pau Gasol (NBA rookie of the year), J.C. Navarro, Alfonso Reyes (injured, didn't play), Felipe Reyes, Jorge Garbajosa (MVP on Italy finals with Bennetton), J.A. Paraíso, Carlos Jiménez, Nacho Rodríguez, Lucio Angulo (ACB best stealer), Carles Marco, Oriol Junyent (ACB best rebounder) and a very young J.M. Calderón. Head Coach: Javier Imbroda Both teams played with passion, but in the end, the USA team, (that got freaking nervous in that world cup everytime the rival team was close to them in the final minutes), gave too many fouls to Spain, that was the best team at free throws of the tournament. Spain ended having better percentage in almost every shoot range and finally, they won the match by 75-81. Althought they just reached a 5th place they were really happy as it was the first time ever they had beaten a NBA team (the third time in general, after Argentina and Yugoslavia, that beaten the USA at that same tournament). Enjoy the resume! Music: Jamiroquai - Just dance