SAITAMA, Japan, Sept 3 - Sharp-shooting Spain blew away Greece 70-47 to capture an emotional first world basketball championship gold medal on Sunday.

NBA-bound Jorge Garbajosa and Juan Carlos Navarro scored 20 points apiece as the Spaniards overcame the absence of talismanic Memphis Grizzlies forward Pau Gasol to win their first major title.

Spain coach Pepu Hernandez fought back the tears as his players celebrated following the death of his father on the eve of the game.

"Pepu's father died the night before the game and it was a big blow for him," Spanish basketball federation president Jose Luis Saez said.

"No one knew anything about it. It has been a very difficult time for him."

An injured Gasol, watching from the bench in jeans, also burst into tears at the final buzzer as the Spain players hugged each other and danced with joy.

"I'm super-proud of the team," said Gasol, who suffered a broken metatarsal in Friday's semi-final victory over Argentina.

"I couldn't contain myself from crying. We played the game with so much hunger and passion. Not being able to play really hurt me but today I couldn't be happier."

Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero praised the players.

"I congratulate the team," he told reporters in Spain. "They have shown great sportsmanship and proven that above all they are a team."

Garbajosa, who has just signed for the Toronto Raptors, sank six three-pointers and pulled down 10 rebounds to lead Spain past the European champions.

OLYMPIC SPOT

Spain's win was their 18th in a row following a string of victories in pre-tournament games and it guaranteed them a spot at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Gasol was named player of the tournament after leading Spain with 21.3 points and 8.1 rebounds.

"I played so hard to keep us winning in this tournament," said the NBA all-star. "My team mates were so motivated to make me proud...and to show we're a great team even without me."

Greek guard Theodoros Papaloukas paid tribute to Spain.

"Spain wanted it more and deserved gold," he said. "When you lose a player like Gasol at such a crucial time in the tournament you either collapse or rise above expectations.

"That's what they did today. This game has left a bitter taste but if you had told me before the tournament we would win silver I would have jumped for joy."

Gasol hobbled into the arena on crutches and spent the game pumping his fists and shouting encouragement from the Spanish bench.

Hernandez praised his players for successfully filling the void left by Gasol's sudden injury.

"If you need only one player to win then maybe you have no team," he said. "Tactics were not important. Basketball is a game of passion, emotion, feeling and the team."