BEIJING: Spain eased past Croatia, Lithuania were too strong for hosts China, the USA demolished Australia and Argentina finally overcame Greece in a ding-dong battle in the quarterfinals of the Olympic basketball tournament yesterday. The results set up semifinal matches between Spain and Lithuania, and between the USA and Argentina.
The real thriller of the day proved the final encounter, in which defending champion Argentina and Greece were neck and neck throughout until Argentina edged their 80-78 victory in the final minutes. Emanuel David Ginobili and Carlos Francisco Delfino were the winners’ top scorers with 24 and 23 points respectively as the Greeks doggedly maintained their challenge throughout.
Antonios Fotsis, Konstantinos Tsartsaris and Ioannis Bourousis were their side’s top scorers with 17, 13 and 12 points. LA Lakers star Pau Gasol was the hero for world champions Spain, scoring 20 points in his 100th appearance for the national team in the 72-59 defeat of Croatia. He said: “We are delighted with the result. To be in the semifinals at the Olympics was outstanding business for us and we have managed it. “The quarterfinals can unfairly decide your tournament for you - if you progress or if you go home. No we are happy and we can start thinking about the semi-final. Spain will be aiming to reach their first Olympic final in the sport since 1984 in Los Angeles.”
Team USA advanced by beating Australia 116-85, grabbing 19 offensive rebounds and 38 defensive rebounds
Kobe Bryant led the winning side with 25 points and five rebounds while LeBron James poured in 16 points and nine rebounds. Carmelo Anthony netted 15 points, and Deron Williams and Chris Bosh had 10 apiece.
“We set in a little bit more defensively. Once we made that adjustment, we played much better,” said Byrant. “Our strength comes in waves in the second, third and fourth quarters.”
Lithuania led the scoring in every period of the 94-68 victory over China, with coach Jonas Kazlauskas unable to defeat his home country. Center Yao Ming went to the line five times in the third quarter alone, and shot 10 for 10 on his way to 11 made free throws all game.
Forward Robertas Javtokas, commenting on the Lithuanians’ strategy against Yao, said: “You know, we always give him a little physical contact. And also our little guys denied the passes into him. I think he got very tired.”
Sarunas Jasikevicius led all scorers with 23 points, followed on his team by Kleiza and Siskauskas with 15 apiece. Yao led China’s scoring with 19 points.
