BRA – Oscar: "Spain can play hard against Team USA..."

BEIJING (Olympics) – Brazil’s men didn’t qualify for the Olympics but the country still has a strong presence at the Beijing Games with legendary scoring machine Oscar Schmidt in town to watch the women play.

Oscar, who is working as a commentator for Brazilian television, couldn’t resist turning up to the Wukesong Arena to watch the rematch of the 2006 FIBA World Championship semi-final between Greece and the United States.

The Greeks won the semi two years ago, 101-95, but the Americans rolled to a 92-69 victory in their Olympic encounter.

Oscar, after giving a big hug to one of his former opponents on the floor, Greece coach Panagiotis Yannakis, spoke to FIBA.com.

FIBA: Oscar, can you see any side beating Team USA?

Schmidt: I don't think so. USA is very potent, strong. Spain can play hard against them but I don't think anybody can beat them. Of course, you can have a bad day and one day you lose, and if that day is the quarter-finals or semi-finals, you lose the championship. But we can already see that this (USA) team is ready to win. If you just look at them during the national anthem, you see that they are into it.

FIBA: Is this USA team better than the one two years ago at the FIBA World Championship?

Schmidt: Every time, defense and fast breaks are the best things of the USA, so they were like that two years ago. But the difference is that this team is more concentrated. The coach (USA boss Mike Krzyzewski) will not allow anybody to have fun. They are here to win so they must play hard, serious, make great plays. That is what they have done up to now.

FIBA: Do you think that because of the loss of the Americans two years ago that Coach K became a lot more interested in international basketball?

Schmidt: I spoke to him yesterday and he told me that he is learning a lot about international basketball. International basketball has really changed and they haven't so they are trying to. He is great, a legend for all of us. Everybody respects him. I think they are the strongest team and they deserve to win.

FIBA: Are you looking forward to seeing Spain’s 17-year-old sensation Ricky Rubio play against Team USA?

Schmidt: I am his fan. I am looking at the Spain game and I am always looking at him. He plays few minutes but whenever he does, he changes the game completely. Ricky changed the game against China and he changed the game against Germany. He is special. I have a son and he doesn't play anymore, but he used to play like him, jumping at the ball (Oscar opens his arms wide), kicking everybody and maybe not making baskets but playing like him. That's the way to play, with heart, a lot of heart. I'm just enjoying watching him play.

FIBA