Spain's Alberto Diaz (left) and Rudy Fernandez (right) block Canada's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander during the FIBA Basketball World Cup match between Spain and Canada at Indonesia Arena in Jakarta on September 3, 2023. (Photo by Adek Berry / AFP)
Jakarta: Defending champions Spain were eliminated from the basketball World Cup in the second round on Sunday after an 88-85 loss to Canada.
Spain, who are also the reigning European champions, held several big leads over the Canadians but let them back into the game in the fourth quarter.
Canada advanced to the quarter-finals with the win.
They also secured a qualifying spot at the Paris Olympics along with the United States, who also reached the World Cup last eight despite losing to Lithuania.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Canada in scoring with 30 points, followed by Dillon Brooks on 22.
Willy Hernangomez was Spain's top scorer with 25 points, while Santiago Aldama had 20.
Italy, Latvia, and Serbia also clinched spots in the quarterfinals.
