OLYM – Potential challengers emerge

LONDON (Olympics) - Spain have had a great team ever since their 2006 FIBA World Championship gold-medal triumph in Japan and carried the moniker of the biggest challenger to defending champions Team USA at the London Games.

Pau Gasol and Co pushed the USA to the limit in Beijing, losing 118-111 in one of the best Finals of all time, and no one has forgotten their efforts that day.

After grinding out a 97-81 opening day win against China, Spain started slow on Tuesday against Australia but shifted into a higher gear in the second quarter and won 82-70.

The way Russia, the team that beat Spain in the gold-medal game of EuroBasket 2007, have been mowing down opponents this summer, they may also represent a threat to American hegemony.

After their 73-54 victory over China in the first game of the day on Tuesday, losing coach Bob Donewald was asked about Russia's prospects.

"I think they're long, I think they're physical and they kicked our butts," Donewald said.

The United States have only brought one true center to the London Games, the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year Tyson Chandler.

LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony have shown their versatility, though, and been very effective this summer both defending in the low post against other centers and also forcing opposing big man to leave their comfort zone and guard them outside.

Russia are a big, physical team with centers Sasha Kaun and Timofey Mozgov, and they have tenacious, unrelenting play of Andrei Kirilenko.

Are they dangerous opposition for the USA?

"I think the Americans are the most dominant team I've seen here so far, but I think there are a few teams that can surprise them in a one-night game," Donewald said.

"Russia are good. Their foot speed can become an issue against all those (American) athletes, but they've given them a scare before and I wouldn't be surprised if they could get to them.

"(Russia coach) David Blatt is another reason they can go far because he's really good. He makes the game a little bit different with his switching, his presses and they don't have a lot of foot speed. He does a good job of changing things up."

Russia pushed the USA hard in the Quarter-Finals of the 2010 FIBA World Championship, winning only 89-79.

Kirilenko didn't play that summer, and rising star Alexey Shved wasn't in the team.

The Americans also didn't have Anthony, James, Kobe Bryant, Deron Williams or Chris Paul.

Blatt talked about the strength of Group B after his team’s win over China.

“I thought initially that Spain was the top team in the group,” Blatt said.

“After seeing Brazil play in the preparation and then seeing China play Spain (on Day 1) so tough and so hard in a game that was much closer than the final score, it makes it all the more evident to me it’s hard to differentiate between teams in this particular group. 

“Every game is a monster.”

FIBA