USA FIGHT OFF BRAVE AUSSIES TO REACH LAST FOUR
- Updated: August 8, 2012
Four teams are now left standing in the men’s basketball competition after the United States joined Argentina, Russia and Spain as the survivors after Wednesday’s quarterfinals at The 02 Arena.
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Russia claimed their first trip to the last four since Barcelona in 1992 by defeating Lithuania and they will now meet Spain in the first semifinal on Friday August 10, after the 2008 silver medallists ground out victory over France.
The United States, the reigning Olympic and world champions, battled past Australia to advance into the next round, where their opponent will be 2004 gold medallists Argentina, who edged out South American rivals Brazil.
Both semifinals will be re-matches from games played in the preliminary round at London 2012. The USA defeated Argentina 126-97 while Russia saw off Spain 77-74.
Russia 83 Lithuania 74
Andrei Kirilenko scored 19 points and hauled in 13 rebounds but Russia, who led by as much as 46-32 in the third quarter, required a decisive burst after Lithuania had closed the gap to a single point early in the fourth.
Spain 66Â France 59
Marc Gasol grabbed 14 points and eight rebounds as Spain came up with a decisive late run to defeat France, who were held scoreless for seven minutes in the fourth quarter. But the ending was marred by unsportsmanlike fouls from Nicolas Batum and Ronny Turiaf which left Juan Carlos Navarro and Rudy Fernandez requiring treatment.
Argentina 82 Brazil 77
Manu Ginobili put up 16 points and eight rebounds and took a decisive role as Argentina edged out Brazil after an 8-0 run in the closing minutes overcame hauls of 22 points apiece from Marcelinho Huertas and Leandro Barbosa.
USA 119 Australia 86
LeBron James posted a triple-double of 11 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists and Kobe Bryant scored 20 in the second half but Australia put up some stiff resistance before a 17-2 run in the fourth quarter saw the United States pull clear. Patrick Mills had a game-high 26 points for the departing Boomers.
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