France's Ronny Turiaf (C) is blocked by Spain's Pau Gasol (R) as he jumps to shoot during their 2009 European Championship Basketball game in Katowice, Poland. (ARIS MESSINIS/AFP)

Spain on Saturday leaned on the stellar all-around play of center Pau Gasol, routing France, 86-66, to advance to the semifinals of the Eurobasket 2009 in Katowice, Poland.

The 7-foot-1 Los Angeles Laker star was a rebound shy of a double-double performance, posting game-highs of 28 points (on 11/13 FG shooting), nine rebounds, and three shot blocks in 28 minutes of action on the floor.

"Our physical condition is so much different that we can now work however we want to," Spain head coach Sergio Scariolo said in an interview from the Eurobasket 2009 official website. "We beat an excellent team. They (Spaniards) have heart and pride and never gave up."

Hot shot Rudy Fernandez got things started for the 2006 World Champions, racking three crucial three-pointers in the first quarter that sparked a decisive run for the Spaniards.   They were able to erect a double-digit lead after the first 10 minutes of action, behind the torrid shooting of Fernandez, Juan Carlos Navarro, and 18-year old sensation Ricky Rubio.

The Spaniards practically dominated the ball game from start to finish, outhustling the opposition (36-27 edge in rebounds, 13-9 in steals, and 7-4 in blocks) while limiting their turnovers to just 12 compared to France’s 17.

"I think they dominated the game from the beginning and never let us come back," said France’s mentor Vincent Collet in an interview. "After showing improvement in the last two or three games, they made us fall back. We had problems moving and swinging the ball against their defense. We had problems finding solutions.  In the second half we got down to 11 but they were too good for us."

Spain got ample firepower from three of their starters – Fernandez, Navarro, and Rubio – who chipped in 16, 11, and eight points respectively.

Tony Parker of France, who is also playing in the NBA for the San Antonio Spurs, was limited to only six markers in 32 minutes of play.  He was averaging 18 ppg coming into the match.  Golden State Warriors’ center Ronny Turiaf was the lone bright spot for the French squad, finishing in double-figures with 12 points.

(Game stats courtesy of the Eurobasket 2009 official website)