Olympics: New Dream Team Stun Spain and Target Gold Redemption

The Dream Team returned yesterday as the US men's Olympic basketball team crushed world champions Spain 119-82.

The Spanish players looked thoroughly dejected as they walked off the court, having hoped to at least keep pace with the Americans. But the US, led by LeBron James with 18 points, were far too strong for Spain.

"They are more intense now," Spanish forward Pau Gasol, who plays for the LA Lakers, said after the game. "They play with a purpose and that's to show everyone else they're superior. That's the bottom line."

The victory, by 37 points, was the biggest margin in a tournament in which the US have won their games by an average of 28 points. It has not yet reached the peaks of 1992, when the original Dream Team won by an average of 43.8 points, but the other teams have improved greatly since then, meaning the US' dominance is just as complete.

The solid American defence gave them a springboard from which to press Spain, and they put the game away early in the second quarter, going 20 points into the lead. Eight American players ended up scoring in double figures.

Renamed the Redeem Team, the US is seeking to make amends for a bronze medal at Olympics in 2004, and similarly disappointing showings at the 2002 and 2006 world championships.

"Spain were in the way of our gold medal," said Carmelo Anthony, who scored 16 points, after helping the US to a fourth straight victory, giving them top spot of Group B. "When we get everybody on the same page it's kind of hard to beat us."

The US and Spain could yet play again, possibly even in the final, but after this game it is hard to see anything other than another crushing victory for the US.