FINAL GAME

Spain - USA 107-118
USA made it. After eight years without the Gold on the Olympic, USA grabbed it beating reining World champions in the final. Despite USA registered comfortable victory against Spain in Preliminary Round, this time it was a totally different story. Kobe Bryant (198-G-78) and his teammates were on their level scoring 118 points but Spaniards surprised everyone netting 107 also finishing the game with 6 rebounds more than USA.

Spain had a pretty good start. After four minutes in the opening quarter Juan Carlos Navarro (192-G-80) and Ricard Rubio (192-G-90) set the score on 15-11 extending it later to plus 5. In just four minutes Dwyane Wade (193-G-82, college: Marquette) led his team to impressive 21-9 run for 31-38 at the end of the first frame. After triple by Carmelo Anthony (203-F-84, college: Syracuse) USA touched plus 13 but Spain through Pau Gasol (214-F/C-80), Rudy Fernandez (197-G-85) and Carlos Jimenez (203-F-76) quickly get on 42-48. Chris Paul (183-G-85, college: Wake Forest) made two free throws at the USA's last possession in the first half for 61-69. Spaniards few times touched minus 4 in third quarter. They were so close but still far away from a turn. Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony were on fire at the end of this period which resulted with 80-91 but Juan Carlos Navarro made a lay-up at the buzzer closing the gap on nine points. After triple by Rudy Fernandez in 33rd minute Spaniards came one fantastic 89-91 and it seemed that they will finally tie the score but than NBA superstar Kobe Bryant stepped up for USA. He nailed 11 points...

QUARTERFINALS

Argentina - Greece 80-78
Defending Olympic champion succeeded to get through the quarterfinal round recording tight victory against ex European champion Greece. It means that Argentina will take on powerful USA Dream Team in the semifinals of the Olympic Games in Beijing.

It was extremely interesting game until the very end. The bet was huge so both teams played it very concentrated. Greece touched plus four with 1:36 remaining in the first frame hut Carlos Delfino (199-G-82) hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer for 22-23 after ten minutes. Beginning of the second frame was totally leveled. Andres Nocioni (199-F-79) and Carlos Delfino took care for the points in Argentina while Theodoros Papaloukas (200-G-77, agency: Interperformances) and Vassilis Spanoulis (193-G-82, agency: Beo Basket) done the same in Greece. Mostly owing to Kostas Tsartsaris (210-F-79), Greece made 5-0 run setting the score on 31-34 and later 33-38. Argentineans made quick 4-0 coming on 39-40 at the half time. Argentina showed slightly better performance after the breather. Pablo Prigioni (186-G-77) shined and after his triple Argentina took 4-point lead in 26th minute. However, teams went into the last frame with almost tied score 56-55. Carlos Delfino drained two triples for Argentina 62-57 and it seemed it was a crucial period of the game but ...