HIROSHIMA -- Spain's superiority shone brightly in the final game of Group B play at the FIBA World Championship.
Coach Pepu Hernandez's squad ran through its plays with the polished ease of a team that clearly recognizes what it can accomplish: becoming the next world champion.
Japan's glaring weaknesses were just as visible on Thursday night at the Hiroshima Prefectural Sports Center. This team needs three key ingredients for sustained success: a dominant big man, standout rebounders and consistency on offense. It also entered the 24-nation tournament without much collective experience playing against the big boys.