USA/ESP – Clash of the titans set before FIBA World Championship in Turkey
COLORADO SPRINGS (2010 FIBA World Championship) - Team USA and Spain traded blows in a classic gold-medal game at the Beijing Olympics that the Americans ultimately won, 118-107.
Now the two sides have decided to square off again, this time in a glamorous friendly before the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey.
The warm-up game will be played somewhere in Spain in the month of August.
“We couldn’t face a better opponent than Spain as we prepare our team for the 2010 World Championship,” USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said.
“Spain is a team we have great respect for and they’ll be among the favorites to again win the World Championship.
“They were an outstanding team in 2006 when they captured the FIBA World Championship and they were again excellent in the 2008 Olympics.”
“As is evident by the five Spanish players currently playing for NBA teams and their other talented players involved with professional teams in the Euroleague, Spain is a team that is deep and very talented. They have played together for several years which helps makes them an excellent basketball team.”
One of those players is Ricky Rubio, who made his senior team bow with Spain in Beijing and put on an electric performance against the United States.
“Facing the U.S. again is a privilege,” said Rubio.
“I had the opportunity to play the final game in Beijing in 2008; it was a great performance from both teams, who played at their highest level. I´m eager to repeat, I don´t mind if it´s an exhibition game.”
The United States is still buzzing about the announcement by USA Basketball this week of its 27-man national team roster for 2010-12.
Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, Carlos Boozer, Deron Williams and Carmelo Anthony – all members of the 2008 team – are in the group though it’s unclear who will be available this summer.
Coach Mike Krzyzewski is leading Duke University now but still has one eye on the summer and now the game against Spain has given something else to think about.
"I'm sure this will be an exciting and memorable game for all basketball fans,” he said in a statement issued by USA Basketball.
“Spain's record and accomplishments in international competitions, especially over the last several years, speaks for itself and the USA-Spain rivalry has developed into something special because of outstanding basketball games that have been played between the two teams, especially the gold medal game at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
“Our training in Spain and the exhibition game will be a critical period in helping our newly formed team be better prepared for the 2010 World Championship."
Basketball is so big and important in Spain that the nation’s government has spoken of the importance of facing Team USA.
“Hosting a game of this magnitude will put our country in the spotlight of the basketball world,” said Jaime Lissavetzky, Spain´s Secretary of State for Sports.
“A game that involves the world´s two best teams is a top-notch sport event, but above all it´s an event that will reach beyond the court, an event that will be enjoyed before and after the game itself. This game is a reaffirmation of the excellent shape of the world of sports in Spain, where basketball clearly stands out.”
