Even without injured star Pau Gasol, a forward with the Memphis Grizzlies, Spain was simply too strong in all facets of the game as it charged to victory.

NBA-bound Jorge Garbajosa and guard Juan Carlos Navarro scored 20 points each for Spain as it overcame the team that shocked pre-tournament favourites the USA in the semi-finals.

Garbajosa, who has just signed for the Toronto Raptors, sank six three-pointers and pulled down 10 rebounds, blowing the game wide open during the second quarter as Spain went into half-time ahead 43-23.

The margin remained at 20 points at the final change, and the Greeks could never mount a serious comeback.

Spain's win was their 18th straight following a string of victories in pre-tournament games. For Greece, the loss broke a run of eight straight wins at the 2006 world championships.

Gasol, who led Spain in points and rebounding, broke a metatarsal bone with about a minute to go in Friday's epic 75-74 semi-final win over Argentina.

The NBA all-star hobbled on to the court on crutches and watched the game from the sidelines. He burst into tears at the final buzzer as the Spanish celebrations began.

Felipe Reyes started in Gasol's place and he had 10 points in the first half.

Mihalis Kakiouzis had 17 points for Greece, which finished fourth in 1994 and 1998. It was Europe's third straight world title - Yugoslavia won in 1998 and 2002 - and it will have the home continent advantage in 2010 with the tournament in Turkey.

The United States won the bronze medal with a 96-81 victory over Argentina on Saturday.