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This game was a true gut check for Spain, who played without key guard Juan Carlos Navarro.

Early on, Australia was hot and Spain had no answer. They controlled the first quarter of play and led 19-14 once the period concluded. In the second quarter, however, Spain's defense clamped down and Australia had no answer, scoring just 13 points as they fell into a 37-32 hole.

From there, Pau Gasol turned it on and finished with 20 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists on 8-of-13 shooting. His brother Marc Gasol joined him with 12 points and 7 rebounds, while Felipe Reyes put up 7 points and 12 rebounds.

The true game-changer for Spain, however, was Rudy Fernandez.

After a scary moment in the first half where Fernandez had to be helped off of the floor due to a head injury, the sharpshooter came back and ended up with 17 points and 7 rebounds on 6-of-7 shooting from the floor, including 4-of-5 from distance.

For Australia, the effort was tremendous but the results just weren't there. Joe Ingles led the team with 14 points, while Patty Mills added 11 of his own. Unfortunately, Mills shot just 5-of-16 from the floor and teammate David Andersen matched a productive 7 rebounds and 4 steals with 2-of-11 shooting.

All in all, Spain was just too good. So good that the United States may have a real test on their hands...

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Final Score: Australia 70 - 82 Spain

Australia Team Leaders

Points: 14 - Joe Ingles
Rebounds: 7 - David Andersen
Assists: 5 - Matthew Dellavedova
Steals: 4 - David Andersen
Blocks: 1 - Joe Ingles & Brad Newley

Spain Team Leaders

Points: 20 - Pau Gasol
Rebounds: 12 - Felipe Reyes
Assists: 3 - Jose Calderon
Steals: 1 - Rudy Fernandez & VIctor Claver
Blocks: 1 - Five Tied

You have to give Australia props. They're giving an all-out effort until the very end as they cut the lead back down to 12.

There were only 26 seconds remaining, however, and the Aussies had nothing to do but foul. Felipe Reyes again with some points by making both free throws.

Fourth Quarter, 0:12 remaining: Australia 68 - 82 Spain

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The free throw is missed but Australia grabs the offensive board. They then drop in two and this game is down to a 12-point deficit!

Make that 10 after the transition score from Matt Nielsen.

Unfortunately, Spain comes back with four consecutive points. Dreams can come true but they can also be crushed by Felipe Reyes.

Fourth Quarter, 1:10 remaining: Australia 64 - 78 Spain

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Errant pass hits the referee in the face. Just a side note.

Thus far, the Gasol Brothers have combined for 30 points and 10 rebounds. Rudy Fernandez, meanwhile, has posted 17 points and 7 rebounds of his own while battling what appear to be concussion-like symptoms.

He has an ice pack on his head. Australia have themselves on a roll as an And-One appears to have brought on some new-found confidence.

Never say never.

Fourth Quarter, 2:28 remaining: Australia 60 - 74 Spain

Australia is double and triple-teaming Pau Gasol. By any means necessary.

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The run has ended for Australia and with under five minutes remaining, it appears as if all hope is lost. If you're Patty Mills and company, however, there is nothing to hang your head about after competing with Spain like this.

Let's see if they have one more outburst in them.

Fourth Quarter, 4:55 remaining: Australia 54 - 74 Spain

That ranks as one of the worst attempts ever at taking a charge. Congratulations Mark Worthington of Australia.

Australia has put together a nice little run, led by Patty Mills' explosiveness and persistence in attacking the basket. They're still down 16, but the momentum has shifted.

Can the Aussies pull this one off? Hit the comments section and let us know!

Fourth Quarter, 5:48 remaining: Australia 54 - 70 Spain

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Australia has missed wide-open three-pointers, important free throws and easy scores from underneath the basket. If you're trying to beat a team like Spain, you simply can't do that and expect to win.

Props to the Australian fan presence for continuing to cheer their team on.

Fourth Quarter, 6:19 remaining: Australia 52 - 70

Wow! Serge Ibaka with a throwdown off of the Alley-Oop and this crowd just came back to life. Spain's bench with a priceless reaction.

Top Play Nominee number two from this game.

Fourth Quarter, 8:16 remaining: Australia 45 - 67 Spain

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We are back for the final quarter of play and Serge Ibaka does what he does best: swats a shot out of bounds. Fortunately for Australia, they are able to score and force a turnover to build a bit of momentum.

But will it be enough? Hit the comments section and let us know.

Fourth Quarter, 8:40 remaining: Australia 44 - 63 Spain

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Early on, it was all about Pau Gasol. During the third quarter, however, Rudy Fernandez emerged as Spain's number one weapon.

Entering the fourth, he has 15 points, 7 rebounds and four three-point field goals. To match him, Pau Gasol has 20 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists.

When Spain is playing this well without Serge Ibaka or Marc Gasol contributing much at all, they're virtually unstoppable.

Does Team USA need to worry about Spain? Hit the comments section and let us know! 

Australia Team Leaders

Points: 11 - Joe Ingles
Rebounds: 7 - David Andersen
Assists: 4 - Matthew Dellavedova
Steals: 4 - David Andersen
Blocks: 1 - Joe Ingles & Brad Newley

Spain Team Leaders

Points: 20 - Pau Gasol
Rebounds: 7 - Rudy Fernandez
Assists: 3 - Jose Calderon
Steals: 1 - Rudy Fernandez & VIctor Claver
Blocks: 1 - Three Tied

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When Rudy Fernandez hit his head, he apparently knocked some sense into his body. He has caught fire in the second half and now has 17 points on 4-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc.

Spain cannot be stopped.

Third Quarter, 1:04 remaining: Australia 42 - 62 Spain

Pau Gasol continues to dominate this game and Spain is in full control right now. Australia seemed like they could pull this off after winning the first quarter and trailing by just five after one half.

And then the rest of Spain joined in on Pau Gasol's hot play. This is going to be one tough team to beat.

Third Quarter, 4:00 remaining: Australia 36 - 53 Spain

Pau Gasol with a putback tip and he has been a monster. 18 points for the Los Angeles Lakers' power forward and Spain is on a 12-2 run.

Third Quarter, 6:13 remaining: Australia 34 - 49 Spain

Don't worry about Rudy Fernandez, as he recovers from a head injury to drop in two points and add to a 6-0 run to open the third quarter for Spain. Pau Gasol hits a three to make that a 9-0 run.

This one is getting ugly quick. 

Third Quarter, 7:22 remaining: Australia 32 - 45 Spain

Spain opens the second half with exceptional ball movement, which leads to nice mid-range J from Marc Gasol.

A notable absentee from today's game is Juan Carlos Navvaro. His absence is clearly being felt as Spain has struggled to develop a consistent rhythm at any point in this game.

Fortunately, the talent on this team is at such a level that rhythm doesn't always play a factor in the outcome.

End of the Second Quarter: Australia 32 - 37 Spain

Australia Team Leaders

Points: 11 - Joe Ingles
Rebounds: 5 - Joe Ingles
Assists: 3 - Matthew Dellavedova
Steals: 3 - David Andersen
Blocks: 1 - Joe Ingles

Spain Team Leaders

Points: 11 - Pau Gasol
Rebounds: 5 - Felipe Reyes & Fernando San Emeterio
Assists: 2 - Pau Gasol & Fernando San Emeterio
Steals: 1 - Rudy Fernandez & Victor Claver
Blocks: 1 - Pau Gasol & Sergio Llull

A trainer is taking Fernandez to the locker room as he holds onto his head in clear pain.

Ugly scene right now, as Rudy Fernandez took a bad tumble into the crowd. Appears to have sustained a head injury.

That was an unbelievable play by Patty Mills. Passing in a wild ball and taking it right out of Jose Calderon's unsuspecting hands. If he could play this way in the NBA, he could really make some noise next season.

Patty Mills comes back in and instantly drops in two points. Aussies down 2 to Spain with 1:51 remaining in the second quarter.

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Aleksandar Maric had commanded plenty of interest from NBA teams heading into this past June's Draft. Unfortunately, he went undrafted.

Nevertheless, the 27 year old is a player to watch in coming years. He's a big body bruiser whose play in the post appears to have improved marginally.

Second Quarter, 2:20 remaining: Australia 30 - 34 Spain