My day out at the Olympic basketball tournament as the Aussies thump the Czech Republic
August 21, 2008
August 19 saw me head off to the women’s quarterfinal matches between China and Belarus and Australia and Czech Republic.
First of all I had to travel across town to get to the Olympic Basketball stadium and Wukesong. The public transport here is really good, however in a city of this size you are doing well if you find a seat during peak times.
The subway ride was sardine tin like as people crammed into the train I was getting into. After about a 40 trip which included one transfer I was out at Wukesong home of the Olympic basketball stadium.
First I walked past the Olympic baseball field before coming across the security checkpoint. After about five minutes I was through security and walking towards the stadium.
The stadium is quite unspectacular when thought of alongside the bird’s nest and the water cube. It has some strange covering. As I approached the stadium I saw a handfull of aussie supporters.
After entering the stadium I was greeted by the friendly Olympic workers as I headed to my seat. I was in row 27 behind the player benches. Quite a good view. On the inside the stadium looks like any other big arena I have been to in the United States or like the basketball venue at the Sydney Olympic games.
Now in my seat I settled back and enjoyed the second half of the China-Belarus match. As the home crowd was playing the crowd were very vocal and the place was packed. China ran out winners 77-62. From what I saw they should not be a pushover for the Australians.
Next up I got to watch the world champion team from Australia. The crowd had thinned out quite a bit after the China match. The players warmed up and then the game was underway. Both teams did little to trouble the scorers in the first couple of minutes. It was not until Australia’s Penny Taylor sank a free throw at the 8:16 mark that the scoring started.
The Czech team in a prelude of what was to come did not score until the 6:13 mark in the first quarter. By the end of the first quarter Australia had already established a 13 point lead. The match continued along with Australia dominating. They had a 21 point lead at the half, 38-17.
Despite leading by a wide margin the Australian players would quite often have a fullcourt press against the Czech team. The third quarter ended with Australia up by 34 and the score at 61-27.
At one stage in the fourth quarter the lead for the Aussies had got out to 40 points before the Czech’s sank a few late baskets to see the score end up as 79-46. Quite a comprehensive win for the Aussie team who will now meet China in the semi. You could see the class of Lauren Jackson as she lead all scorers with 17 points from 24 minutes 46 seconds court time.
The main concern after this match is the fitness of Australia’s Penny Taylor who limped off the court in the second half with an ankle injury. The star player is most likely to miss the semi against China but could possibly play in the final if Australia get past the host country.
In the other matches the USA easily defeated Korea to setup a semi showdown with Russia. It was Russia who eliminated the USA in the semis at the last world championships before losing to Australia.
After the match two of the players from the Australian team mingled with the 30 or so aussie fans that were still hanging around after the match.
Overall it was a pretty awesome experience taking in some Olympic basketball.
Spain and Lithuania advance to basketball semis
August 20, 2008
This afternoon in Beijing Spain and Lithuania have eased into the Olympic men’s semifinal for the basketball tournament.
First up Spain defeated world no. 20 ranked Croatia. Spain started well with a 12-1 run thanks to nine points from Paul Gasol. At the end of the first quarter they were up 22-11. Despite committing six turnovers in the second quarter Spain maintained their 11 point advantage at the halftime break with the score 37-26.
Spain pretty much killed off the match with a 10-2 run to start the third quarter. Croatia did give their fans a glimmer of hope when they had a 10-3 run in the third quarter to make the score 51-38 with one quarter to play.
Paul Gasol helped his team to close out the win and the final score was 72-59. Gasol scored 20 points and pulled in 10 rebounds.
In the second semifinal China had a large crowd on their side as they took on Lithuania. The first quarter was close with the Lithuania’s ahead by two 19-17. This all changed in the second quarter as Lithuania outscored the locals 22-13.
The home crowd could not help the Chinese team overcome a tough opponent. As the match progressed the margin slowly increased. Each time China tried to close the gap Lithuania seemed to be able to answer with a 3-pointer. Overall they shot 13/31 from beyong the three-point line. China could only manage 4/21.
Top scorer for Lithuania was Sarunas Jasikevicius with 23 points. He shot an impressive 5 from 6 outside the arc. Yao Ming tried to carry his team and he scored 19 points however this was not enough.
The Lithuanian’s booked their semi-final spot with a comprehensive 94-68 win and should provide the current world champions Spain a tough match.
Heartbreak for men’s Chinese basketball team
August 13, 2008
In an afternoon game in the men’s Olympic basketball tournament the hosts China took on world champion’s Spain.
After a day at Beijing Zoo I caught this match on local tv as I enjoyed a meal in a Beijing restraurant. At the time I picked up the match the Chinese were out to a 8 point lead just ahead of halftime.
In the third quarter they continued to play well and held a 61-47 lead. I had to remind myself that this was the current world champions in Spain taking on a team that had never done that much in a major championships.
As the match went into the fourth quarter Spain were taking advantage of turnovers from China and were quickly catching their hosts. With time winding down Spain levelled the scores at 72. That is how it ended. This match was going into overtime.
Here was where Spain dominated with a 10-3 period to wrapup the match. NBA player Pau Gasol scored 29 points for Spain to lead all scorers. He was ably assisted by Rudy Fernandez with 21. For China Liu Wei top the scoring with 19 points.
NBA star Yao Ming put in a good defensive effort in this match to help China get to the lead they had at one point. Turnovers at crucial times cost the Chinese and prevented one of the big Olympic basketball upsets.
China play Angola in a must win match on Thursday while Spain will face Germany in the early game.
Australian’s give USA tough basketball workout
August 6, 2008
One advantage of being in Beijing right now is that I get to watch many of the lead up games for the basketball on Chinese tv. Last night I watched the Australian women’s team face off against their main rival for the Olympic basketball gold medal the USA.
The United States ended up defeating Australia 71-67 on Tuesday night to win the FIBA Diamond Ball for Women played in Haining, China. The win gives them a mental edge going into the China Olympic basketball tournament starting on the weekend. The Australians are the reigning world champions.
Watching the game I think Australia can take away enough positives from the match to think they can win their first ever Olympic gold medal on August 23. Before then there is a lot of hard work ahead of them.
Australia’s Penny Taylor had a game-high 19 points. At times the USA threatened to run away with the match however good defense kept the Aussie’s in the match. The USA at one stage had a 10 point advantage.
My daughter was a bit worried about Australia losing. She is only six and likes watching the scores of any sport to make sure Australia wins. I told her it is the Olympics that matter. The USA has defeated Australia in the gold medal game in the past two Olympics.
In the men’s basketball it was also Australia matching up against the USA. The teams were playing in Shanghai in their final warmup match before the Beijing Olympics. Australia put up a solid effort against the gold medal favourites. The final score was 87-76 in favor of the USA.
This match was the closest for the USA basketball team in their preparations for the China Olympics. Dwyane Wade top scored with 22 points. LeBron James with 16 points, Kobe Bryant with 13 points and Carmelo Anthony also helped the USA to the win.
Australia would feel good about themselves following the match. Boomers head coach Brian Goorjian had this to say after the match. “We had Argentina last week and now you come into Team USA and we got out of those two games going into the village on an upbeat and I think with a young team that’s very, very important.”
The USA opens their Olympic basketball tournament against hosts China on August 10. The match will tip off at 22.15 Beijing time. I will be watching that live on CCTV.
Australia open their Olympic campaign against Croatia who reached the Olympics in the recent qualifying tournament in Athens.
Nowitzki to finally live the Olympic dream
July 22, 2008
The other day Germany grabbed the final spot in the Beijing Olympic men’s basketball tournament. For Dirk Nowitzki it was a special moment.
On the reuters countdown to Beijing site Erik Kirschbaum wrote about how much it meant for Nowitzki to finally get to play in an Olympic basketball tournament.
This shows the special place that the Olympics has in the hearts of many a sportsman or woman and fans of the greatest sporting show on earth. Nowitzki earns millions playing in the NBA for the Dallas Mavericks however he probably gets more joy from playing for free while representing Germany at the China Olympics.
For myself the Olympics are special. I love to watch every moment that I can. I also love to read and study everything written about the Olympics.
With just under 17 days to go until the opening ceremony I am getting excited. It is even more exciting as in one week I will myself be in Beijing.
The first thing I will be doing is checking out the Olympic venues for myself. Watch for more from Beijing after July 30.
Last three China Olympics men’s basketball spots booked
July 21, 2008
In the 2008 FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament in Athens 12 teams were shooting it out to claim one of three spots still available in the Beijing Olympic men’s basketball tournament.
On the last day of competition Germany defeated Puerto Rico 96-82 to win the final spot available at the Olympic’s. They joined Croatia who had earlier booked their ticket to Beijing with a 76-70 win over Germany and Greece who defeated Puerto Rico 88-63 in the semi’s.
Both losing semifinalists were given the second chance to go to Beijing and it was Germany who accepted. Germany were lead by NBA star Dirk Nowitzki who scored 32 points to help his team take the win.
The full list of teams for the China Olympics is as follows:
| Host country | China |
| 2006 FIBA World Champion | Spain |
| African Champion | Angola |
| Americas Champion & Runner up | USA & Argentina |
| Asian Champion | Iran |
| European Champion & Runner up | Russia & Lithuania |
| Oceanian Champion | Australia |
| FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament | Croatia, Greece, Germany |
The first matches at the mens’ Beijing Olympic basketball tournament tip off on August 10. The twelve teams are split into two pools of six for the round robin stage. The top four in each pool advance to the sudden death quarterfinals.
Australian men’s Olympic basketball team for Beijing
July 14, 2008
The Australian basketball team for the Beijing Olympics has been announced. The team is made up of the following:
David Andersen / Forward/Centre / 212cm
Chris Anstey / Centre / 213cm
David Barlow / Guard/Forward / 205cm
Andrew Bogut / Centre / 213cm
CJ Bruton / Guard / 188cm
Joe Ingles / Guard / 203cm
Patrick Mills / Guard / 181cm
Brad Newley / Guard / 198cm
Matthew Nielsen / Forward / 209cm
Shawn Redhage / Forward / 202cm
Glen Saville / Guard/Forward / 197cm
Mark Worthington / Forward / 202cm
The Boomers will be looking to medal for the first time when they take on the world’s best basketball talent in the Beijing Olympic basketball tournament. At the Athen’s Olympics they failed to progress out of the group stage winning just one match.
In the Sydney Olympics the Australians put on a good show for the home crowd and made it to the semifinals before ending up in fourth spot.
Heading into Beijing the Boomers have had the chance to get some games under their belt as they competed against recently against New Zealand and Iran in June and more recently they played Croatia, Greece and Brazil in Greece.
The Boomers have just entered a training camp in Australia which gives the squad the chance to adjust to playing with NBA player Andrew Bogut. The Bucks player is fresh from signing a huge contract extension with his NBA team.
Chris Anstey is another player with NBA experience. He played two seasons with the Dallas Mavericks and one with the Chicago Bulls in the late 1990’s.
The men’s Olympic basketball team will head over to China in August and have a warm up match scheduled for August 5 in Shanghai. There opponents will be none less than the USA. The USA will be keen to regain the glory days in Beijing after some recent poor performances.
I know you’re thinking can the USA Olympic basketball team win gold again
June 24, 2008
USA Basketball has announced the team to take part in the Beijing Olympic men’s basketball tournament.
The team will be looking to erase the memories of the bronze medal results at the Athens Olympics and the most recent World Championships. The basketball world was shocked when the USA team lost in Athens.
The team announced by the managing director Jerry Colangelo is:
Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets)
Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz)Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors)
Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers)
Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic)
LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers;)
Jason Kidd (Dallas Mavericks)
Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets)
Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons)
Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks)
Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat)
Deron Williams (Utah Jazz)
It is interesting to see that none of the NBA champion winning Boston Celtics are in the team. I also noted that they do not have a true center. Dwight Howard at 6-11 is the tallest in the team. It will be good to see how the USA team handles someone like Yao Ming who will have a height advantage.
The head coach for a team of NBA stars is Duke University coach Mike Krzyzewski.
Jason Kidd has been brought back to the Olympic team after winning a gold medal in Sydney in 2000. Kidd is a member of eight USA Basketball teams and can say that his record is 44-0 when playing for the USA. The 2008 USA Olympic team will be hoping that this winning streak continues with Kidd in the side.
Do you think the USA will once again dominate the Olympic Basketball tournament? Leave your comment below. You can then share this with your friends using the ShareThis link below.
Women’s Olympic basketball - last spot goes to Brazil
June 16, 2008
At the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women Brazil had gone so close to claiming a berth at the Beijing Olympics when they lost an overtime match against Belarus.
The Brazilian team has overcome that heartbreak to go on and take the final spot in the Olympic basketball tournament. This came after a thrilling 72-67 victory against Cuba on Sunday.
The Brazilian team is currently ranked no. 4 in the world compared with Cuba at no. 8. This was no easy feat to win this game.
The Paulo Bassul coached team did it the tough way after losing their quarter-final match to Belarus. They then had to overcome Angola and then Cuba to grap their spot.
After the match Bassul said, “It’s a great moment, and the girls deserve this. I think it’s a wonderful group and basketball for me is a group.”
The win did not come without drama. Bassul had kicked the most famous Brazilian player, Iziane, out of the team after she had refused to take the court in overtime against Belarus. The Brazilians were able to overcome the loss of their star and stay focussed on the ultimate prize of a ticket to Beijing.
In the playoff match Cuba were on top with four minutes to play and held a five point lead at 61-56. The just could not shake off Brazil. With just 32 seconds left in the match Karla sank two free throws to give Brazil a two point advantage, 67-65.
From here Brazil held on to run out winners.
The full lineup for the Beijing Olympic women’s basketball tournament is now set. The following 12 teams will be making their way to Beijing for the August games:
Australia - the gold medalist from the 2006 World Championship
Belarus - Olympic qualifying tournament Madrid 2008
Brazil - Olympic qualifying tournament Madrid 2008
China - host nation
Czech Republic - Olympic qualifying tournament Madrid 2008
Korea - the gold medalist from the 22nd FIBA Asia Championship
Latvia - Olympic qualifying tournament Madrid 2008
Mali - the gold medalist from the 20th African Championship
New Zealand - the gold medalist from the FIBA Oceania Championship
Russia - the gold medalist from the 31st FIBA Europe Championship
Spain - Olympic qualifying tournament Madrid 2008
USA - the gold medalist from the 2007 FIBA Americas Champion
The basketball event of the 29th Olympic Games will be held at the brand new 18.000-seat Wukesong Indoor Stadium in Beijing from August 9-24, 2008.
The twelve teams have been grouped into two groups. The current FIBA rankings are in brackets. The groups comprise of:
Group A: Australia (2), Belarus (30), Brazil (4), Korea (7), Latvia (26) and Russia (3)
Group B: China (10), Czech Republic (9), Mali (31), New Zealand (16), Spain (5) and USA (1)
I look forward to women’s olympic basketball Beijing style.
China Olympics
Cuba and Brazil to play off for final women’s Olympic basketball berth
June 15, 2008
So far in the FIBA Women’s Olympic qualifying tournament four teams have confirmed their place in the Beijing Olympic basketball tournament. They are Spain, Belarus, Latvia and Czech Republic.
Just one spot remains. Brazil and Cuba will later today be playing off for that spot. The winner is bound for Beijing, the loser gets nothing. The result will see one of the top ten ranked women’s team not playing in the Beijing Olympics. Brazil is currently ranked no. 4 in the world and Cuba is no. 8.
The team that misses out will see this as a huge disappointment. Brazil moved into the playoff spot by defeating Angola 75-58 while Cuba advanced after defeating Japan 66-58.
The men’s Olympic basketball qualifying will take place in Athens starting on 14 July. Just three teams will receive a spot in the Olympic basketball tournament.
