SAITAMA, Japan -- Pau Gasol, Spain's leading scorer and rebounder who was
injured in the final minutes of a semifinal victory over Argentina, still hopes
to play in the gold-medal game against Greece on Sunday night in the FIBA world
championships.
The 7-foot Gasol, who plays for the Memphis Grizzlies, hurt his left foot
when he was fouled with 1:36 remaining in the 75-74 victory over Argentina. He
made the two free throws to give Spain (8-0) a 73-67 lead, then left for the
bench.
After the win that guaranteed Spain its first medal ever in a world
championships, Gasol had to be carried from the court by two teammates,
including his younger brother, Marc. He was taken to a hospital for X-rays and
the Spanish team was expected to release an update on his condition Saturday.
"Right now, it is difficult to know if I will be able to play in the final
but I know that my team will be ready for anything," Gasol said on his official
Web site, paugasol.com. "I have full confidence in my teammates, that they will
succeed.
"We are 48 hours away from the final and I will do everything possible so as
not to miss it."
Gasol, who had 19 points and 11 rebounds against Argentina, is averaging 21.3
points and 9.4 rebounds for the tournament.
Spain coach Pepu Hernandez sounded far from optimistic following the
semifinal win that set up an all-European championship game. Greece (8-0)
advanced with a 101-95 victory over the United States.
"We are extremely happy but it is not full happiness. There is bad news about
Pau Gasol," Hernandez said. "He has a serious injury and therefore our happiness
is not complete. We want to come out on Sunday and get the win for him.
"I am not sure what the injury is. He hurt his foot and it may be the same
injury he had in the season."
Gasol was slowed at the end of the NBA's regular season with a sore left
foot, but did return for the playoffs.
"There is a large difference in us without Pau Gasol," Hernandez said. "We
have to keep going and keep our confidence. We have to try the same things we
did to get here only with 11 players and maybe that will be enough."
