US on course to retain crown

Lisa Leslie (left) was on top form for the United States

The United States are on course to retain their women's Olympic basketball title after a convincing quarter-final win over Slovakia.

The gold medal favourites never looked in danger, stepping up a gear when required to secure a 58-43 victory.

They could meet Australia in the final, following the home side's 76-48 trouncing of Poland.

The Australians must first beat Brazil, who left it until the last second to snatch a dramatic win over Russia. In the other quarter-final South Korea upset France 68-59 to book a semi-final showdown with the US.

US forward Lisa Leslie, who helped herself to 18 points in the win over Slovakia, said she was looking forward to the contest.

It was tough out there, but that's the way it's gonna be

  US guard Katie Smith

The Koreans gave them a few problems in the preliminaries and she admitted they would be no pushovers.

"They always give us fits. They just keep running at you," she explained. It will be a tough game for sure."

Against Slovakia they opened up a 26-9 gap after 10 minutes, but allowed their opponents to get within nine points before pulling away.

"It was a big win," said US guard Katie Smith. "It was tough and we had to earn it. It was tough out there, but that's the way it's gonna be."

Heart-stopping

Brazil gave their fans a few heart-stopping moments before clinching a 68-67 victory over the Russians.

Alessandra Oliveira was the heroine for the South Americans - silver medallists in 1996 - when she netted a basket with just 1.4 seconds left on the clock.

Relieved Brazilian coach Antonio Carlos Barbosa said of the winning move: "The plan was for Adriana Santos to receive the ball up high to bring the defence out, and then put down into Alessandra. And it worked."

He must now try and plot the downfall of an Australian side that beat them 81-70 in the preliminary round.

One of the biggest tasks will be to stop Jenny Whittle, who notched nine points in the first five minutes against the Poles. She finished the game with 16 points and five rebounds.

"We don't have any choice (about playing Australia). At this time all the games are going to be difficult and we will have to play hard," Barbosa conceded.