Officials try to separate the players of Spain and France after a hard foul by France's Batum during their men's quarterfinal basketball match
Officials try to separate the players of Spain and France after a hard foul by France's Batum during their men's quarterfinal basketball match Reuters

Spain defeated France 66-59 to advance to the semifinals of the men's basketball tournament at the 2012 London Olympics.

While Spain is the second-favorite behind the U.S. to win the gold medal, their near upset wasn't even the biggest story of the game. As France saw the game slipping away from them in the final minutes, some of the French players started to take out their frustrations on their opponent.

Ronny Turiaf and Nicolas Batum both delivered hard foul to members of the Spanish national team. Batum's foul was almost caused a brawl to ensue, as he punched Juan-Carlos Navarro in the groin. Players from each side had to be separated.

Adrian Wojnarowski asked Batum after the game why he threw the punch at Navarro.

"I wanted to give him a good reason to flop," replied the Portland Trail Blazer.

The frustrations of the France built after they blew an early and a chance to upset Spain. The team scored just six points in the fourth quarter en route to their loss.

Batum wasn't ejected from the game, but was given an unsportsmanlike foul.

Click here to see Batum take a swing at Navarro.

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