:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50434589/usa-today-9476172.0.jpg)
On the same day that Manu Ginobili played his last game for Argentina, Tony Parker was unable to keep his pursuit of an Olympic medal alive as France lost to Spain, 92-67. As with Manu, Tony announced this would be his last game in his national team jersey.
The game was the sixth meeting between the European squads since 2011, but it wasn't the climactic affair one might've hoped for coming out of two sides that have risen concurrently to prominence. A three-point difference at the end of the first quarter became double digits in the second, and France was simply unable to muster enough offense to keep things close from then on out.
Meanwhile the Spanish offense looked sharp once again, producing a number of open looks around the floor, as its team continues to crest at just the right time. They received a big lift from the Bulls' Nikola Mirotic (23 points), as well as future Knicks rookie Willy Hernangomez (18 points), while Pau Gasol had an off night, putting up just five points and eight rebounds in 23 minutes.
The 34-year-old Parker has played with men's senior national team since 2001, accomplishing much alongside former Spurs teammate Boris Diaw, including a bronze finish in the 2013 FIBA World Cup and a gold medal in the 2015 Euro competition. He had already announced this would be his last tournament, with a mind to preserve his body and play as long as possible with the Spurs.
"It was my last game, I'm not going to change my mind on that. I've been playing with the national team for 16 years, every summer and it takes a toll the wear and tear.
I told the Spurs that it was going to be my last summer because I want to finish my Spurs career on a good note, I want to play another five years."
Ce fut une magnifique aventure... Merci ! 3/3 pic.twitter.com/P1FB8CIEQQ
— Tony Parker (@tonyparker) August 17, 2016
Spain next get to play Team USA, who eliminated Manu's Argentina squad on Wednesday.