2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Final: Spain Clinches Victory Against Argentina
The 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup final marked a thrilling conclusion to the tournament, determining the ultimate champion.
Held on September 15, 2019, at Beijing’s Wukesong Arena, the clash featured Argentina and Spain in an intense showdown.
A changeover ceremony was held at halftime to formally transfer the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup hosting rights from China to the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia. The 2023 tournament will be hosted in the Philippines from August 25 to September 10, 2023. For the first time since the new trophy’s release in 2017, the victorious team received the Naismith Trophy.
After winning 95–75, Spain claimed their second World Cup championship. Marc Gasol became the first player to win both an NBA championship and a World Cup in the same year since Lamar Odom in 2010. He was also the first non-American to win both an NBA or WNBA title and an Olympic gold medal in the same year.
Argentina’s Journey In The World Cup
Argentina defeated Russia in the last group match to win Group B in Wuhan. They finished the first round with a perfect 3-0 record after also defeating South Korea and Nigeria. Additionally, the South Americans won Group I in Foshan, advancing them to the quarterfinals. They were able to win the group against Poland. Argentina advanced to the semi-finals in Dongguan by defeating Serbia, the silver medalists from the 2016 Olympics and runners-up in the 2014 World Cup, by a margin of 10 points.
In the Beijing semifinal, South America took on France, which had already defeated the United States in their quarterfinal encounter. After limiting Rudy Gobert to just three points and scoring a tournament-high 28 points in the game, Luis Scola helped Argentina advance to their first World Cup final since Scola’s debut in 2002.
Spain’s Journey In The World Cup
In Guangzhou, Spain emerged victorious in Group C. The Europeans went into the second round unbeaten after victories over Iran, Puerto Rico, and Tunisia. Spain overcame Italy and the previously unbeaten Serbian team to win the group stages at the second round of Group J in Wuhan, finishing with a perfect record of 5-0.
Poland was unexpectedly ousted by Spain in the Shanghai quarterfinals thanks to Ricky Rubio’s nearly double-double of 19 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds. Late in the fourth quarter, it took two three-pointers to keep the Poles from cutting into the margin.
The Australians led by as many as 11 points in the third quarter of their Beijing semifinal matchup against Australia, but the Spaniards rallied to draw the game at 71 points apiece at the conclusion of regulation. Marc Gasol and Patty Mills each made three-pointers in overtime, but Mills was fouled and made both of his free throws as the game was tied at 78. The next possession, Gasol fouled himself and made both of his foul shots.
Double overtime was played because Matthew Dellavedova missed a chance to win it at the buzzer. Spain made two three-pointers to start the second overtime period, and that proved to be the difference as they advanced to their second World Cup final—they had won it in 2006.
Also Read: 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Final: Germany’s Victory Over Serbia
Game Analysis
In their eight World Cup encounters, Argentina has won two of them, including their most recent match at the 2010 World Championship. Spain has won five of their encounters. The previous match, which took place at the 2016 Summer Olympics, was won by Spain.
At the beginning of the match, Spain was ahead 14-0. After a resurgence, Argentina finished the first quarter trailing Spain by just 14 points to 22. The advantage then changed, but the Spaniards went on a 14-0 run to lead 55-33 after the Argentinians narrowed the gap to twelve at the beginning of the third quarter. The Spaniards did not turn around. With a 20% field goal percentage, Ricky Rubio scored 20 points in the contest while limiting Facundo Campazzo to just 11 points.
Gabriel Deck had a game-high 24 points, but Luis Scola was held to just 1/10 shooting and only scored while making free throws late in the third quarter. In addition to his 14 points and team-high seven assists, Marc Gasol also had two steals, blocked three shots, and two steals. During the fourth session, Argentina attempted to rally, but the deficit was too big and there wasn’t much time left. Gasol and Fernandez were both a part of Spain‘s 2006 World Cup winning team. Spain went on to win its second World Cup.
