USA/ESP – Americans cruise into title showdown with Czechs

KARLOVY VARY (2010 FIBA World Championship for Women) - The United States blew out Spain on Saturday night to set up a mouthwatering Final against the Czech Republic at the FIBA World Championship for Women.

Spain, without injured center Sancho Lyttle, couldn’t compete on the boards with the Americans who won 106-70.

The USA will now take on the host nation in front of what promises to be a an electric, partisan crowd.

United States coach Geno Auriemma spoke to Czech counterpart Lubor Blazek before he left the court and went to meet with his players in the locker room.

Auriemma, who met Blazek last year at the Ekaterinburg Invitational tournament in Russia where the Czech coached USK Prague, said: “I told him, I'm happy that you won on Friday (against Australia).

“I hope you win on Saturday but after that, it's no more.

“I have a lot of respect for him.

“I told him this will be a good time for him to ask for a lot of money from the federation."

The Czechs only finished third in Group F but they have ended the title defense of Australia and then survived an intense fight with Belarus on Saturday night in overtime to reach the title game.

Spain are quick and like to play an up-tempo game but they weren’t able to compete with Auriemma’s team on the glass.

The Americans had a 26-12 rebounding advantage at half-time when they led 58-34.

The USA ended up grabbing 44 rebounds to 28 for Spain.

Tamika Catchings led a balanced scoring attack for the United States with 14 points.

Sue Bird chipped in with four points and five assists, and after the victory visited with FIBATV.com.

Spain coach Jose Ignacio Hernandez said: "It was important for us to compete in the opening minutes but the USA took a big lead.

“We had injury woes with Sancho Lyttle, Alba Torrens and Amaya Valdemoro. We thought it was not enough to risk them.

“The team tried to compete and fight against the best team in the world.

“Tomorrow is the most important day for us.”

You can see Team USA in the final against the Czech Republic, plus plenty of interviews and features at FIBATV.com.

FIBA