Spain's team celebrate as they defeated France during their FIBA EuroBasket 2011 final basketball match in Kaunas Sept 18, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

Russia took bronze

Russia won the European championship bronze medal when they beat the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia 72-68 in the dying seconds of a thrilling contest for a podium finish.

After Macedonia forward Damjan Stojanovski missed a lay-up from point blank range, Russia shooting guard Aleksey Shved hit a pair of free throws at the other end.

Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko led the Russians with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Sergey Monya, Andrey Vorontsevich and Timofey Mozgov added 10 each.

Macedonia's American-born point guard Lester Bo McCalebb finished with a game-high 22 points, Vlado Ilievski scored 16 and centre Pero Antic chipped in with 13 points.

Both teams qualified for next year's inter-continental 12-team tournament for three berths in the London Olympics, along with fifth-placed Lithuania and sixth-placed Greece.

Sergio Llull of Spain cuts a a piece of the basket's net after defeating France during their FIBA EuroBasket 2011 final basketball match in Kaunas Sept 18, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]