France vs. Spain: Report Card Grades for Both Teams

In one of the most anticipated games of the quarterfinals, Spain prevailed over a talented French team 66-59.

Though France had become accustomed to escaping with relatively narrow victories during preliminary-round action, it still made some noise with an early win over Argentina. A narrow victory would have looked pretty good right about now for France.

Instead, the French will go home empty-handed after an ugly game in which Spain got to the free-throw line 29 times while France shot just 34 percent from the field.

In a low-scoring war of attrition, it's no surprise that the team with the superior size came out ahead. Spain out-rebounded France by seven boards, and the Gasol brothers combined for 24 points and 19 rebounds.

We know how the teams' collective efforts unfolded, but how did each club's individual stars hold up in the process?

Here's a look at how they stacked up.

Marc Gasol, C, Spain

Marc Gasol made Spain proud today, along with a few Memphis Grizzlies fans in the process. 

The 27-year-old big man led Spain with 14 points and tacked on eight boards for good measure. He even hit a three-pointer, proving his brother isn't the only one in the family with a little bit of range.

Five of his points came on six attempts at the free-throw line, and it was clear the French team wasn't able to counter with enough size.

Ronny Turiaf was no match for Spain's interior. He missed two free throws and didn't attempt a single field goal. He also fouled out after just under 17 minutes of playing time. In other words, the Gasols dominated this game on both ends of the floor and forced France to rely exclusively on a perimeter game that ultimately just wasn't enough.

Grade: B+

Pau Gasol, PF, Spain

Though Pau Gasol left some of the scoring duties to his brother this time around, he was an absolute beast on the glass.

He added 11 rebounds, a block and three assists to his 10 points. Gasol also got to the free-throw line five times, contributing to France's unseemly 29 team fouls. As he's wont to do, Gasol did a little bit of everything against France, reminding us of his rare skill and versatility.

The only thing not to like about his game was a couple of missed three-pointers, but he can be forgiven on account of the fact his team still pulled this one out.

Grade: B+

Rudy Fernandez, SF, Spain

Rudy Fernandez didn't have his shot working for him, but he still found ways to make an impact and give Spain the edge.

In nearly 30 minutes of action, the swingman scored just nine points, suffering a rough 0-of-5 game from beyond the arc. Nevertheless, there was no quit in this guy.

He hit three of four free-throw attempts, grabbed four rebounds and dished three assists. More importantly, though, he impacted the game on the defensive end with two blocks and two steals. Unlike so many of his French counterparts, he walked away with just one foul.

Not bad for a guy who couldn't make a shot with the pressure on.

Grade: C+

Tony Parker, PG, France

In some ways, you have to be happy for Tony Parker. He's finally been put out of his misery and will never again have to set foot on the global stage in those ridiculous-looking protective goggles.

If his opponents had any sense of humor whatsoever, they'd have been too busy laughing to worry about guarding him. Unfortunately, the Olympics are serious business, and the Spanish team was in no mood to let Parker walk all over it.

Parker played nearly 38 minutes but struggled mightily to put the ball through the hoop. He shot just 6-of-20 from the field, got to the line just three times and wasn't even looking to pass the ball.

France's hopes rested on Parker, but he struggled at times in these Summer Olympics after being forced off the floor earlier this summer by a freak eye accident.

Without the added practice time, Parker's rhythm often eluded him. It certainly seemed to do so against Spain.

Grade: C+

Boris Diaw, PF, France

Boris Diaw's days of wasting away with the Charlotte Bobcats appear to be ancient history. After signing on with the San Antonio Spurs and playing an important role in the team's impressive playoff run, the versatile forward gave it all he had against Spain.

Unfortunately, he didn't have much help.

Diaw totaled 15 points, eight rebounds, five assists and a block, proving he's as well rounded as advertised. He also shot an efficient 6-of-11 from the field, including three treys.

The only thing you would've liked to see from Diaw is a few more shots. France could have used them.

Grade: A-

Nic Batum, SF, France

Nic Batum didn't contribute much besides feistiness to France's loss. The soon-to-be-overpaid forward for the Portland Trail Blazers made just three of his 12 field-goal attempts, including an especially disappointing 1-of-5 showing from long-range.

France depended heavily on his scoring, and the rough shooting performance had a lot to do with the team's sluggish offense. He and Tony Parker shot a combined 9-for-32 from the field, so he clearly wasn't alone.

France's perimeter rut was a decisive factor.

Batum did attack the offensive glass and play some solid defense, but he didn't do nearly enough to overcome his woeful accuracy.

Grade: C-