Spain survives late Argentina push, but loses Gasol

SAITAMA, Japan -- One semifinal winner danced in a circle at midcourt. The other carried off their best player.

Spain beat Argentina 75-74 on Friday night to guarantee itself its first medal ever in a FIBA World Championship. The win came about three hours after Greece upset the United States 101-95.

The all-European final, however, will apparently go on without Spain star center Pau Gasol, who injured his left foot in the game's final minute and had to be carried off the court after the game.

"We are extremely happy but it is not full happiness, there is bad news about Pau Gasol," Spain coach Pepu Hernandez said. "He has a serious injury and therefore our happiness is not complete. We want to come out on Sunday and get the win for him.

"I am not sure what the injury is. He hurt his foot and it may be the same injury he had in the season."

Gasol, who plays for the Memphis Grizzlies, was slowed at the end of the regular season with a sore left foot, but did return for the playoffs. Hernandez said Gasol would have tests on Saturday, but he didn't sound very optimistic.

Spain wins, but is Pau Gasol finished for the tournament? (Getty Images)

"There is a large difference in us without Pau Gasol," he said of the 7-footer who averaged 21.3 points and 9.4 rebounds in the tournament. "We have to keep going and keep our confidence. We have to try the same things we did to get here only with 11 players and maybe that will be enough."

Gasol, who had 19 points and 11 rebounds, was carried off the court by two teammates with his foot wrapped in tape with ice. They placed him in a wheelchair to be taken to the locker room.

Jose Calderon made one free throw with 18 seconds left and Spain (8-0) held on for the victory over Argentina and will face Greece for the gold medal on Sunday night.

Greece (8-0) beat the United States 101-95 in the other semifinal, meaning a team from Europe will win the world championship for the third straight time. Yugoslavia won it all in 1998 and 2002.

"Greece has shown they are a fantastic team, they are the current European champions so it will be difficult," Spain guard Sergio Rodriguez said. "What is most important for us is that we don't lose our composure and believe in ourselves."

Luis Scola of Argentina (7-1) made two free throws with 21 seconds left to tie the game at 74. Argentina fouled Calderon near midcourt, figuring even if he made two free throws it would have a chance at winning the game in regulation.

Calderon, who plays for the Toronto Raptors, missed the first and made the second. Argentina came down court and Andres Nocioni, who plays for the Chicago Bulls, got off a 3-point attempt from the left corner with three seconds left. It bounced off the rim and while players from both scrambled for it above the 3-point line, the buzzer went off.