Gasol named MVP as Spain routs Lithuania to win EuroBasket

Spain is back on top of the European basketball hierarchy.

Pau Gasol of the Chicago Bulls led the way with 25 points and 12 rebounds as Spain topped Lithuania 80-63 Sunday at the EuroBasket 2015 final in front of a record crowd in Lille, France. It's the nation's third EuroBasket title as it heads into next summer's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Spain lost in the semifinal of EuroBasket 2013 to France, but has captured silver at the last two Olympics, losing in the championship game to the United States in both 2008 and 2012.

Gasol, still searching for his elusive Olympic gold medal, wasted no time in confirming his attendance at the 2016 Games.

The absence of Marc Gasol, Jose Calderon, and Serge Ibaka didn't seem to bother Spain as the tournament progressed over the past fortnight, and neither did the elder Gasol's age. The 35-year-old averaged 30.5 points and seven rebounds in Spain's last four games, a performance that earned him the tournament's MVP award. For the third time in his career, he topped the EuroBasket scoring charts.

The Spanish side did get a scare in the second half when former NBAer Rudy Fernandez was taken out by a hard pick. He left the game and did not return.

Jonas Valanciunas of the Toronto Raptors finished with 10 points and nine rebounds for Lithuania, who also advanced to the Rio Olympics.

Earlier Sunday, France defeated Serbia 81-68 for the bronze medal. Both nations, along with Italy, Greece, and the Czech Republic, have qualified for one of next year's last-ditch qualifying tournaments.