Spain won their third European championship after a blistering performance by the talismanic Pau Gasol inspired them to an 80-63 win over Lithuania in yesterday’s final. The Chicago Bulls centre, who carried the Spaniards throughout the competition, poured 25 points and racked up 12 rebounds as the 2009 and 2011 winners enjoyed a fifth successive podium finish. Dynamic playmaker Sergio Llull added 12 points, six rebounds and five assists for Spain, while guards Mantas Kalnietis and Renaldas Seibutis led Lithuania with 13 points each. Earlier yesterday, hosts France won the bronze medal after beating Serbia 81-68 in the third-place play-off.