Spain v Lithuania - Final preview and odds

Spain v Lithuania - Final preview and odds

Sunday, September 20 18:00pm - Pierre Mauroy Stadium

EuroBasket 2015

Two powerhouses of European basketball will go head-to-head when Spain and Lithuania battle it out for the 2015 EuroBasket title in Lille on Sunday night.

Spain powered by Gasol

After 15 days of excitement, there is just one game left to decide the 2015 champion.

Spain started the competition without some of their key players and lost two of their first three games. However, a string of MVP performances from Pau Gasol enabled his team to power their way into a ninth final after five straight wins. The last of those wins came against the host nation in what was a tense and spectacular semi-final showdown in front of 27,000 fans. As reigning champions, France were many people’s favourites to win the competition but that label will now be applied to the Spanish team.

Olympic berths secured

Lithuania will enter the final full of confidence after overcoming a superb Serbian team by a score of 67-64. They also had to make do without some key players throughout the tournament but suffered just one defeat on the road to the final, at the hands of Belgium.

The Lithuanians will be seeking their fourth EuroBasket crown while Spain will be attempting to win the tournament for a third time.

As a result of their exploits, both teams will now feature at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero.

Clash of the titans

These teams have had some major battles over the years most notably in the 2003 EuroBasket final, when Lithuania prevailed and in 2008 Olympic semi-finals when Spain ran out victors. Spain also knocked their opponents out of the 2006 FIBA Basketball World Cup Finals at the quarter-final stage.

Team news

Key players

Pau Gasol of the Chicago Bulls scored half of Spain’s points in the semi-final against France and is the player that everyone is talking about. He is by far the leading scorer and blocker of the tournament and will certainly finish the competition as MVP.

Lithuania will be hoping that Toronto Raptors centre Jonas Valanciunas can inspire his team to victory. The NBA star has posted impressive stats throughout the competition and will play a crucial part in attempting to combat then threat of Gasol.

Recent form

Spain: LWLWWWWW

Lithuania: WWLWWWWW

Betting odds and tips

This game will be close and should be settled by a small point’s margin. Spain’s low turnover rate could make all the difference and they should win the match by around five points. You can back Lithuania +5.5 in the points spread market at 21/20 bet365. This is the best bet available for a better-than-evens return.

Go To bet365

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19/09/2015     © Frixo 2024