American basketball players beat Spaniards in quarterfinal shock

The United States were scared, but they will be well in the semi-finals of the Tokyo Olympics. Second in their pool after an inaugural defeat against France (83-76), the American basketball players had inherited a complicated draw, but they once again dominated the Spaniards (95-81) on Tuesday August 3, after their victories against the Iberians in the finals in Beijing (2008) and London (2012) and in the semi-finals in Rio in 2016.

Carried by a wonderful Ricky Rubio (38 points at 13/20 shooting), La Roja was however up to ten points ahead in the second quarter (39-29). But, although very clumsy (4/17 to three points in the first period), and beaten on the rebound (29 to 18 at halftime), the Americans were able to count on their best player, Kevin Durant (29 points), to reattach before half-time (43-43).

When they returned from the locker room, Gregg Popovich’s players regained their defensive aggressiveness (under the impetus in particular of Draymond Green), a little collective play in attack and their skill to put their opponents at a distance (67-52 in the third quarter -time). Opposite, the Spaniards made the yo-yo, but could never come back to less than four points (69-65, at the start of the last quarter).

Tenth consecutive semi-final

Thanks to Jayson Tatum (13 points including ten in the last quarter), the Americans were able to control the end of the game to avoid fears and win by fourteen points. They join the semi-finals for the tenth time in a row (the Americans boycotted the Moscow Games in 1980). They will face Australia or Argentina on Thursday.

“We have a common goal, namely to win a gold medal and we do everything to win it, reacted Kevin Durant at the microphone of the American channel NBC, after the meeting, according to comments reported by Agence France-Presse. We have to continue to be ourselves, we have found our identity and we understand how we have to play, and this was the perfect time, so hopefully we can keep that momentum going. “

Opposite, the Spaniards leave the tournament before the semi-finals for the first time since 2008. “I think it’s time for others to take advantage of all this, commented 36-year-old Marc Gasol. I think it’s time for me to step away from the selection and make room for young people who can take advantage of it. “

For part of the golden generation, made up of the Gasol brothers (41 years old and 36 years old), Rudy Fernandez (36 years old), Sergio Llull (33 years old) or even Ricky Rubio (30 years old), it was undoubtedly the last round track, after three Olympic medals, two world titles and three European titles.