Sports briefs

Cubs suspend Bradley for rest of year

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Chicago Cubs suspended volatile outfielder Milton Bradley for the rest of the season Sunday, one day after he criticized the team in a newspaper interview.

Bradley was disciplined for conduct detrimental to the team. General manager Jim Hendry said he decided to send Bradley home after learning of the player's remarks in the (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald of Illinois. Bradley, scratched from Saturday's lineup due to left knee soreness, was quoted as saying "you understand why they haven't won in 100 years here."

Bradley struggled this year throughout his first season with the Cubs and was booed vigorously by home fans at Wrigley Field. He was hitting .257 with 12 homers and 40 RBIs.

Bradley has two years remaining on a three-year, $30 million contract that he signed as a free agent last offseason. Hendry said he didn't know if the relationship was "fixable."

Spain downs Serbia for Euro hoop title

KATOWICE, Poland (AP) — Pau Gasol had 18 points and 11 rebounds to lead world champion Spain to a 85-63 win over Serbia in the final of the European basketball championship Sunday.

The victory gave Spain its first European title after six runner-up finishes, including a one-point loss two years ago to Russia in front of its home crowd.

The Spaniards dominated from the start at both ends of the court, playing pressure man-to-man defense and getting out on the break for easy baskets to take a 15-point first quarter lead. Serbia never recovered.

Gasol, a star with the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, scored down low and blocked three shots on his way to winning the tournament MVP honors.

"It was a great game, and obviously we won the final that we lost twice before this year, so I'm extremely happy and it's an unforgettable day for us," Gasol said. "We just worked so hard to win this championship and I'm just super proud of my teammates."

Guard Rudy Fernandez chipped in with 13 points for Spain, while Uros Tripkovic led Serbia with 15 points.

"We lost the first half, and probably the game was finished," Serbia coach Dusan Ivkovic said. "The Spanish team was better and they deserved absolutely this title."

Earlier Sunday, Greece slipped past Slovenia 57-56 to win the bronze medal.

Also, France beat Croatia 69-62 behind 18 points from Antoine Diot in the fifth-place game.

Both teams had already qualified for next year's world championship in Turkey and were only playing to determine the final placings.

Also, guard Vitalii Fridzon scored 26 points to lead Russia past Turkey 89-66 for seventh place at the tournament.