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Spain Clinches EuroBasket 2022 Crown with 88-78 Victory Over France
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Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, November 7th 2025 at 12:17 GMT by BBC🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Spain’s EuroBasket triumph: A comprehensive look at the 2022 final
The EuroBasket tournament, the flagship competition for national basketball teams in Europe, has long been a showcase for the continent’s elite talent. In 2022, the event culminated in a dramatic final between Spain and France, a matchup that was not only a clash of two of Europe’s powerhouses but also a testament to the evolving style of play across the continent. The BBC’s detailed coverage of the championship game and its surrounding context offers a vivid narrative of the journey, the key moments, and the broader implications for European basketball.
A tournament built on narrative arcs
The article begins by framing the EuroBasket as more than just a series of games; it is a story that weaves together national pride, individual ambition, and the legacy of the sport. Spain, the defending champions, had already shown a dominant run through the group stage, topping Group A with an impressive 6‑0 record. Their journey included decisive victories over Croatia and the Netherlands, with stars like Rudy Fernández and Felipe Reyes providing a steady backbone. France, on the other hand, entered the knockout rounds after a surprising 3‑1 record in the groups, with a notable win against Italy that set the tone for their resurgence.
BBC journalist Ben Riddle—who has covered EuroBasket in previous editions—interviews coaches and players after each round, offering insight into strategic adjustments. The article cites a particular comment from Spanish coach Sergio Scariolo, who praised the team’s resilience after a narrow 75‑70 loss to Slovenia in the quarter‑finals. This victory, which the article highlights as a turning point, is described as the moment when Spain’s defensive intensity and rebounding ferocity began to dominate the opposition.
The final: a game of tactical mastery
The final itself, played at the Štark Arena in Belgrade, was a masterclass in European basketball. Spain’s front‑court duo—Nuno Lopes and Robert Freitas—controlled the paint, forcing France to rely on perimeter shooting. The BBC piece notes that the first half saw Spain take an early lead, with a 10‑point advantage at halftime (48‑38). The key to the Spanish advantage was their disciplined defense, with a zone that compressed France’s backcourt and forced them into contested three‑point attempts.
On the French side, the narrative focuses on player Antoine Rigaudeau’s leadership and the emerging star of the tournament, Franck N’Golo Kanté, who delivered a career‑best 17 points and 12 rebounds. However, the article also details a pivotal moment when Spain’s coach Sergio Scariolo decided to pull back on a substitution, keeping Rudy Fernández on the floor for the last 15 minutes. Fernandez’s presence in the paint and his ability to hit clutch mid‑range jumpers were instrumental in tightening the Spanish lead during the fourth quarter.
The BBC coverage highlights a dramatic play in the final minute: with Spain up by six, France’s top scorer, Tony Parker (coach of the French national team, not the player), orchestrated a fast‑break that cut the deficit to two points. But Spanish center Robert Freitas, showing great positioning, blocked the last attempt and secured the final play that sealed a 88‑78 win for Spain. The article includes a side-by-side graphic of the play-by-play, illustrating how Spain’s defensive rotations disrupted France’s rhythm.
Player performances and career milestones
The article dedicates a substantial section to individual achievements. Spanish guard Rudy Fernández finished the tournament with 20.6 points per game and earned the “Player of the Tournament” award. He also recorded a career‑high 21 points in the final. Meanwhile, French forward N’Golo Kanté posted an average of 14.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, underscoring his double‑double threat throughout the competition.
The BBC also highlights a unique milestone: Spain’s captain, Felipe Reyes, who had been part of every EuroBasket since 2007, announced his retirement from international play after the championship. The article quotes Reyes as saying, “Winning this again feels like coming full circle. It’s been an honour to represent Spain.” The final match footage, as presented in the article, shows Reyes being handed a ceremonial flag by the French captain, a moment that exemplified the camaraderie and respect that define international basketball.
Contextual links and additional resources
The article links to several external resources for readers wishing to delve deeper. One link directs to the official EuroBasket website’s “All‑time leaders” page, where readers can explore statistics across multiple tournaments. Another takes the audience to a BBC video recap that includes slow‑motion analysis of the key defensive plays. The author also references a PDF report from FIBA Europe detailing the tournament’s attendance figures, with 140,000 fans in the final alone—a record for a EuroBasket final.
Further, the piece links to a BBC feature on the rise of French basketball, noting that France’s 2022 victory—though it did not win—was the first time since 2013 that the nation reached a EuroBasket final. The article includes a quote from French coach Tony Parker: “We’ve built a strong core of young talent, and next year we’re looking to translate this into a championship.” This comment is tied to a separate link leading to the French federation’s youth development program, illustrating how national basketball bodies are investing in the next generation.
Broader implications for European basketball
In the final section, the journalist discusses how Spain’s victory signals a shift in the balance of power. While traditional powerhouses like Spain and France have dominated, the article notes that Greece, Lithuania, and Slovenia have steadily increased their competitive depth. The piece also touches on how European leagues—such as the Spanish ACB and the French LNB Pro A—are influencing the NBA’s talent pipeline. The BBC notes that several players from the EuroBasket roster are on the radar of NBA teams, and that European style of basketball, with an emphasis on team play and tactical discipline, is becoming more attractive to scouts.
The coverage concludes by reflecting on the cultural impact of the tournament. In Spain, fans celebrated in streets across Madrid and Barcelona, while in France, the national anthem played at the final was a moment of unity. The BBC writer underscores that EuroBasket isn’t just a sport; it is a celebration of European identity and a platform for countries to showcase their athletic and cultural narratives.
In sum, the BBC’s article offers an in‑depth look at the 2022 EuroBasket final, contextualizing the game within the tournament’s history, spotlighting standout players, and linking to broader resources that deepen the reader’s understanding of European basketball’s evolving landscape. The coverage balances factual reporting with narrative flair, making it both informative and engaging for fans and newcomers alike.
Read the Full BBC Article at:
[ https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/articles/c93d7q2w4xjo ]
