Dream Team edge out valiant Russians

Russia's Alexandre Bachminov and Antonio McDyess

The Russians could not reproduce the shock result they managed in 1972 leaving the US to progress to the semi-finals of the basketball tournament with an 85-70 victory.

Despite the 15-point margin, the "Dream Team" were hard pushed by the Russians, who took a 12-2 lead after just four minutes in the game.

The Russians, who had the best defensive record in the tournament, were further helped in their cause when the neutral crowd suddenly backed them after a clash between Vince Carter and Zakhtar Pachoutine.

  Results of the basketball quarter-finals

United States 85-70 Russia

Lithuania 76-63 Yugoslavia

France 68-63 Canada

Australia 65-62 Italy

The Toronto Raptors guard had accused the Russian captain of hitting him in the groin when he drove to the basket and just before half-time, he angrily confronted Pachoutine.

US coach Rudy Tomjanovich had to restrain Carter from further trouble, but the crowd were now in favour of the Russian.

But the Americans were helped by 16 points and 11 rebounds from Kevin Garnett as well as 13 points from Vin Baker.

The Americans acknowledged the challenge the Russians posed to their Olympic title.

Energy

Garnett said: "This team met our energy level in the first half and when a team meets your energy, that's when it's important to stay together as a team and we did that.

"Even though they played us close, that's also fuel and it's good strategy to go back and review tapes and see what we did wrong."

However, Russian coach Stanislav Eremine believes the "Dream Team" can be beaten.

"They need to play A-minus and the opponent needs to play A-plus. Our players tired toward the end, and the US team established a solid lead and everything was a foregone conclusion.

If they play 100 percent, as the best players in the world, all we can do is play our best

  Sarunas Jasikevicius

Dangerous

The Americans will now face the dangerous Lithuanians in the semis after their 76-63 win over Yugoslavia.

The 1996 bronze medallists went through after 26 points and eight rebounds from Guintaras Einikis helped to defeat the world champions and reigning Olympic silver medallists.

Sarunas Jasikevicius, who scored 18 points, is looking forward to their clash with the red-hot favourites, and said: "If they play 100 percent, as the best players in the world, all we can do is play our best, we will have to play very well."

Elsewhere, France and Australia will face each other in the second semi-final.

The hosts secured a narrow victory over Italy 65-62 and the French beat Canada 68-63, despite losing two players through injuries.