RIO DE JANEIRO (Rio 2016 Olympic Games) - If Spain dispensed with their European rivals France in a 92-67 blowout of Les Bleus in the Quarter-Finals on Wednesday, it will prove far more difficult to beat their Olympic nemesis, USA, on Friday.

In a golden era that has seen Spain dominate Europe and win a world title, the national team has not been able to clear the giant hurdle that is the United States at the last three Olympics.

There are plenty in international basketball who remember the four games between the sides at the last three Olympics, including players still competing with the teams in Rio.

USA captain Carmelo Anthony played at each of the Summer Games, as did Spain's Pau Gasol, Juan Carlos Navarro, Rudy Fernandez, Felipe Reyes and Jose Manuel Calderon.

2004 - Athens

Marbury scored a then USA record 31 points in the win over Spain

Spain entered the Quarter-Finals with a full head of steam, winners of all five of their Preliminary Round games. The USA, beaten like a drum by Puerto Rico in their opener and then losers to Lithuania, reached the last eight as the fourth-placed team. In the Quarter-Final between Spain and the USA, Gasol poured in 29 points, Calderon 19 and Navarro 17 but the Americans rode the hot shooting of Stephon Marbury to a 102-94 victory. 'Starbury', whose previous high in Athens had been 8 points, hit 6 of 9 shots from long range and scored a USA record 31. The USA ended up falling to Argentina in their next game but beat Lithuania to reach the podium.

2008 - Beijing

The USA celebrate Gold Medal Game win over Spain in 2008

In a highly-anticipated rematch, especially after Spain's the 2006 FIBA Basketball World Cup title success, the USA turned on the style and beat the European giants in the Preliminary Round, 119-82. Three stars that were youngsters in the 2004 side - LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Anthony - led eight players in double figures. The second and more important meeting in China, the Gold Medal Game, proved to be a much different game. Spain gave the USA a real scare but in the closing minutes, Wade and Kobe Bryant made the big plays and the USA won, 118-107. The game had two moments that fans still talk about. Fernandez shook the Wukesong Arena when he soared in for a dunk over Dwight Howard. Bryant nearly brought the venue to its foundations when he buried a three-pointer while being fouled by Fernandez. He made the free-throw for a four-point play.

2012 - London

Kevin Durant led the USA with 30 points in the 2012 Olympic Final

The two sides met in the Final once again and there were 16 lead changes. Six times the game was tied. Spain center Marc Gasol got into foul trouble in the first half with four but his team nevertheless put up a huge fight against the defending champions. Kevin Durant, the 2010 FIBA Basketball World Cup MVP, had 30 points and Chris Paul had a phase of play that helped the USA take control for good. The point guard hit a 3-pointer and drove in for another basket to put the Americans on top, 90-84, early in the fourth quarter and they kept their noses in front the rest of the way.

FIBA