Potential bruiser
Russia and Spain set up semi-final clash
SPAIN’S Pau Gasol had 10 points and 11 rebounds to spark the reigning European champions into the Olympic men’s basketball semi-finals yesterday with a 66-59 victory over France.
The Spaniards, silver medallists in 2008, will play Russia, an 83-74 winner over Lithuania, in a semi-final game tomorrow with that winner advancing to Sunday’s gold medal championship match.
France led 53-50 entering the fourth quarter but Spain moved ahead quickly on an inside shot by NBA big man Serge Ibaka and a blocked shot by NBA star Gasol that set up a fast break dunk by Sergio Llull for a 58-57 Spain edge with 5:35 remaining.
Rudy Fernandez added two free throws with 91 seconds remaining to boost Spain’s lead to 60-57 and on the next possession both Fernandez and Gasol blocked shots to force a shot-clock violation turnover from France.
That set up a lay in from Marc Gasol, who led his team with 14 points, to give Spain a 62-57 lead with 45 seconds remaining.
French NBA standout Boris Diaw missed a thee-point attempt and Marc Gasol grabbed the rebound and Spain hit free throws down the stretch to seal France’s fate.
Juan-Carlos Navarro was shoved on a hard intentional foul by France’s Nicolas Batum with 23 seconds to play, one that touched off harsh words and nearly more between the players before cooler heads prevailed.
NBA stars Diaw and Tony Parker each scored 15 points to lead France.
Russia will have the chance to play for an Olympic medal for the first time since the break-up of the Soviet Union after beating Lithuania 83-74 yesterday.
Andrei Kirilenko scored 19 points and grabbed 13 rebounds and Timofey Mozgov added 17 points to spark Russia into a Friday match-up against either France or reigning European champion Spain.
“This is a big step for our country and our basketball,” said Russia captain Sergey Monya. “I think we deserve this.”
Other quarter-finals pit Brazil against Argentina and Australia against the unbeaten US NBA Dream Team.
Russian and US talent could meet in the gold medal game on Sunday for the first time since a controversial 1972 Soviet triumph, although even a semi- final loss would put the Russians in a bronze- medal game.
“The Americans are all stars but we for sure would like to play them,” said Russian guard Alexey Shved, who will join the NBA Minnesota Timberwolves next season along with Kirilenko.
And Lithuania coach Kestutis Kemzura gives the Russians a solid chance to defeat the American multimillionaire superstar line-up.
“USA are great. They have lots of talent,” Kemzura said.
“You have to play really smart, good basketball, be physical and concentrate.
“The Russian team are tactically and physically strong. They can make trouble for the US team. I think they can (beat them).”
Russian coach David Blatt, an American who has spent seven years revamping the Russian programme, is taking the one game at a time approach.
“I would love to win a medal and be part of history for Russian basketball,” he said.