USA first up for China at Olympics
China will take on the United States in the opening round of the Beijing Olympic basketball tournament after the Saturday’s draw. China will face the USA’s team made up by NBA stars on August 10 in Group B, which also includes world champions Spain, African title-holders Angola and two qualifiers yet to be named.
Hosts China are expected to be led by Houston Rocket centre Yao Ming, who is currently recovering from injury, while NBA stars will make up the core of the US and other teams such as Argentina, Russia and Spain.
In the women’s draw, China was bracketed with the US, New Zealand and Mali in Group B, while South Korea, Australia and Russia make up Group A. Five other qualifiers will be determined in a qualifying tournament in Spain in June.
After Saturday’s draw, China’s women beat Team USA 84-81 in a warm-up match. It was the first time a Chinese men’s or women’s team had ever beaten the United States.
And the FIBA president Bob Elphinston said the basketball arena in Beijing Olympics is magnificent, possibly the best ever for Olympic basketball games.
romans5 Said,
May 6, 2008 @ 8:38 pm
Pardon my ignorance, fellow bloggers, but when are the first games?
carrie4 Said,
May 7, 2008 @ 4:06 am
As far as I know, the first game will be on August, 10th at 9am, will you come to watch the game?