ESP - Gasol wary of Kobe, team USA

LOS ANGELES (Olympics) - Pau Gasol admits “it’s almost impossible to stop” his Los Angeles Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant but he and Spain will do their best to beat superstar and Team USA when they meet in the preliminary round at the Beijing Games.

Spain were on Saturday drawn in Group B of the Olympic men’s basketball tournament with the United States, hosts China, Angola and two sides that will come through the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

"I would have preferred to have met Team USA in the final but this is what the draw has pulled out. It's clear that Team USA is the team to beat,” Gasol said.

“They have a great side, with a very defined project but if we want to win gold, we have to beat everyone. We know it's almost impossible to stop Kobe, but between all of us we will try.”

Spain will be among the leading sides at the Olympics after capturing gold at the FIBA World Championship and silver at last year’s EuroBasket in Spain.

"We have always beaten China,” Gasol said.

“They have Yao but they don't defend well, even though as hosts of the tournament they will be more dangerous.

“Angola already gave us some problems in Japan.”

Spain came up short against the United States four years ago in Athens, losing to them in the quarter-finals 102-94.

FIBA