Team Spain celebrate during the awarding ceremony after the final match between Spain and Argentina at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 15, 2019. (Xinhua/Meng Yongmin)
After failing to medal as the host of the 2014 FIBA World Cup and then finishing only with Bronze at the 2016 Olympics, Spain defeats Argentina for first title in international basketball tournament since 2006.
BEIJING, Sept. 15, 2019 (Xinhua) -- The 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup was the 18th tournament of the FIBA Basketball World Cup for men's national basketball teams. The tournament was hosted in China and was rescheduled from 2018 to 2019, becoming the first since 1967 that was not occur in the same year as the FIFA World Cup (which was held the previous year). The tournament expanded from 24 to 32 teams.
The tournament also served as qualification for the 2020 Summer Olympics, which took the top two teams from each of the Americas and Europe, and the top team from each of Africa, Asia and Oceania, alongside the tournament's host Japan.
Ricky Rubio of Spain touches the trophy as he walks off the court after the final match between Spain and Argentina at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 15, 2019. (Xinhua/He Changshan)
Luis Scola of Argentina comforts teammates (bottom) after the final match between Spain and Argentina at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 15, 2019. (Xinhua/He Changshan)
Marc Gasol of Spain holds the trophy during the awarding ceremony after the final match between Spain and Argentina at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 15, 2019. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Willy Hernangomez Geuer (L) and Juancho Hernangomez of Spain kiss the trophy during the awarding ceremony after the final match between Spain and Argentina at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 15, 2019. (Xinhua/Meng Yongmin)
Team Spain celebrate during the awarding ceremony after the final match between Spain and Argentina at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 15, 2019. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Rudy Fernandez of Spain cuts off the net after the final match between Spain and Argentina at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 15, 2019. (Xinhua/Meng Yongmin)
Marc Gasol of Spain celebrates during the awarding ceremony after the final match between Spain and Argentina at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 15, 2019. (Xinhua/Meng Yongmin)
Ricky Rubio (C) of Spain is awarded MVP after the final match between Spain and Argentina at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 15, 2019. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Ricky Rubio of Spain celebrates during the awarding ceremony after the final match between Spain and Argentina at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 15, 2019. (Xinhua/He Changshan)
Ricky Rubio of Spain looks up during the awarding ceremony after the final match between Spain and Argentina at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 15, 2019. (Xinhua/He Changshan)
Juancho Hernangomez of Spain celebrates during the awarding ceremony after the final match between Spain and Argentina at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 15, 2019. (Xinhua/He Changshan)
Team Spain celebrate during the awarding ceremony after the final match between Spain and Argentina at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 15, 2019. (Xinhua/He Changshan)
Willy Hernangomez Geuer (L) and Juancho Hernangomez of Spain kiss the trophy during the awarding ceremony after the final match between Spain and Argentina at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 15, 2019. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Rudy Fernandez celebrates during the awarding ceremony after the final match between Spain and Argentina at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 15, 2019. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)■
