America's women triumph

America's women have succeeded where their men spectacularly failed and won the Olympic basketball title for the third successive time.

America, unbeaten in all competitions since 1996, were simply too good for a spirited but ultimately demoralised Australian team, who had hoped to reverse the defeat they suffered to the Americans in the final of the Sydney games - and on 12 other recent occasions.

Scores were level at 12-12 after the first quarter, as the Americans missed shots and conceded possession rather too easily. By half-way the U.S. had edged three points ahead before the Australians - who, like their opponents, won all seven games prior to the final - scored five quick points at the start of the third quarter to take a two-point lead.

At one point the Australians even stretched that lead to four but, from there, it was all America. The score was tied at 50-50 in the dying seconds of the third quarter when Shannon Johnson's basket sparked an 11-1 run to give the Americans a lead they never looked like losing.

34-year-old Staley, playing in her third and final Olympics, put the game beyond doubt in the penultimate minute when she sank two free throws to give her team a 70-59 lead.

It was also Staley who dribbled out the clock for a 74-63 win, upon which the American bench and American-dominated crowd erupted in jubilation. Many of the team shed tears of joy.

Staley's 14 points was only bettered on the American team by Tina Thompson' 18. Meanwhile, Lisa Leslie's 13 points leaves her just three shy of becoming the most prolific scorer in women's finals history. However, whether she will ever claim that record is open to question as retirement beckons after 16 years in the US team.

Australia's Penny Taylor registered a highly creditable 16 points, but Lauren Jackson, the team's leading scorer through the tournament, had an off night. Jackson, the 2003 WNBA most valuable player, netted only 12 points after averaging over 24 points in the first seven games, hitting only four of 16 field goal attempts. She had a strong game on the boards, however, pulling down 14 rebounds.

Earlier, the bronze medal match had been won by Russia, beating Brazil 71-62.