ESP/FRA - Pau takes center stage against Les Bleus

ALMERIA (EuroBasket 2011) - Spain played their first friendly of the summer when hosting France on Tuesday night but looked like a team that already has several games under its belt.

Sergio Scariolo's side, preparing for its EuroBasket title defense and hoping to earn a trip to the London Games, rolled to a 77-53 victory.

The Spaniards took command with a 19-4 run in the first half and never looked back.

Pau Gasol, who missed last year's FIBA World Championship after deciding to rest for the 2010-11 NBA season, played and scored 19 points to lead Spain.

More important than the points, he says, was the team's defense which kept France in check.

"That has to be our hallmark," Gasol said, "to be strong and solid at the back so that we can be comfortable and continue to improve in attack."

Next up for Spain is a game against Lithuania in Madrid on Saturday night.

The game was the last for Rafa Martinez and Xavi Rey, who were both released from the squad.

FIBA