The 2008 Olympic Basketball Gold Medal will go to either the United States or Spain.  Watch and discuss both the gold and bronze medal games live on your PC by clicking the appropriate regional link below:

August 24, 2008
Bronze Medal Game (discuss)
12:00: Argentina vs. Lithuania
Watch the game live in Argentina, Lithuania, Spain, USA

<< GOLD MEDAL GAME (discuss)
14:30: USA vs Spain
Watch game live in Argentina, Lithuania, Spain, USA

The USA and Spain, the two powerhouses and the favorites coming into the tournament advanced to the medal game by defeating Argentina and Lithuania respectively in the Olympic semi-finals, they’ll now play in a rematch for the 2008 gold medal in basketball.

The USA had demolished Spain earlier in the tournament during pool play.  Look for both teams to come out extremely intense and focused, with the Americans defense being the key factor.  The Spanish’s key to victory will be keeping turnovers low and their three-point accuracy, both of which will keep the United States running a half court game.  Ricky Rubio is going to be a great player, but Jose Calderon must play at least 32 efficient minutes, the fiery guard is the linchpin for the Team Spain.

The USA must continue to keep up the defensive pressure, but to pick and choose when best to gamble.  Kobe Bryant’s three-point shooting has mostly been horrendous during the Olympics and his breaking the offense to shoot contested shots has unsuccessful the majority of the time, but his presence on the court is important for the United States, more than I’d like to admit.

Olympic Basketball Semifinals Recaps
USA 101 – Argentina 81 (boxscore) – The USA defeated Argentina by 20 points, as Argentina lost their leader and best player Manu Ginobili six minutes into the game after re-injuring his right ankle.  The Americans used a balanced attack led by Carmelo Anthony’s 21 points and LeBron James 15 points.   Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Paul each had 12 points.  And Chris Bosh added 11 points for the Americans.  Luis Scola scored 28 and Carlos Delfino put in 17 points and 8 rebounds for the Argentinians.

Unfortunately for Argentina, Manu Ginobili’s injury will keep him out of the bronze medal game against Lithuania.

Spain 91 – Lithuania 86 (boxscore) – Behind Pau Gasol’s 19 points and Rudy Fernandez’s 18 points, Spain put Lithuania away with a 91-86 win.  The game was tightly-contested with both teams exchanging leads several times throughout the game before Spain pulled away

For the Spanairds, Felipe Reyes added 15 points and Carlos Jimenez had 11 points and 7 rebounds.  Simas Jasaitis and Sarunas Jasikevicius scored 19 points for Lithuania. Robertas Javtokas added 15 points for the Lithuanians.

After the Bronze medal game, Lithuania will have played for the basketball bronze medal in all five of the Olympics they’ve participated as since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.  Team Lithuania has three bronze medals (1992, 1996, 2000), and placed fourth in the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Links and Resources: Final: USA vs Spain discussion thread (interbasket), Bronze game: Lithuania Vs. Argentina (Interbasket), Gasol leads Spain past Lithuania 91-86 (AFP), USA-Argentina Boxscore (NBCOlympics), Spain-Lithuania Boxscore (NBCOlympics), Ginobili done for the olympic (Interbasket)