For a while, it looked like Macedonia might pull off another improbable upset in the semifinals of Eurobasket 2011. Then, Spain guard Juan Carlos Navarro took over. The Spanish star poured in 35 points, 19 in the third quarter, as Spain held off Macedonia to win 92-80 and clinch a berth in the 2012 Olympics.
Eurobasket 2011: Juan Carlos Navarro Leads Spain Over Macedonia
Macedonia looked poised to potentially pull off an even bigger upset than their quarterfinal shocker over host Lithuania, but that was before Navarro took over. He hit two threes, including one running off the wrong foot, to eventually give Spain a nine-point lead at the end of the third quarter. Macedonia didn’t quite go away in the fourth quarter, but Spain was never really threatened.
Bo McCalebb completed a phenomenal tournament with 25 points and five assists for Macedonia. Pau Gasol added 22 for Spain.
Spain will now face the winner of a semifinal game between France and Russia. The winner of that game will also receive a berth in the 2012 Olympics.
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