Spain Vs Usa 2008 Basketball Finals Full Game
The 2008 Olympic basketball finals between Spain and the USA was a legendary match that showcased some of the world's best basketball players. This game was especially important for the USA team since they had lost the previous Olympic finals in 2004 against Argentina. On the other hand, Spain was in the midst of their golden generation and wanted to make their mark in the international basketball scene.
The Journey To The Finals
The USA team had a relatively easy journey to the finals. They won all their preliminary round games without facing any tough competition. In the quarter-finals, they faced Australia, a team that had given them trouble in the past. However, the USA team dominated the match and won 116-85. In the semi-finals, they faced their biggest challenge yet, playing against an Argentinian team that had already beaten them in 2004. However, the USA team was determined to avenge their previous defeat and won the match 101-81.
Spain, on the other hand, had a tougher journey to the finals. In the group stage, they lost to USA, but managed to win their other four games. In the quarter-finals, they faced Croatia and won the match comfortably 72-59. In the semi-finals, they faced Lithuania, a team that had beaten them in the Eurobasket finals just two years prior. However, Spain played an excellent game and won the match 91-86.
The Finals Matchup
The Olympic basketball final was played on August 24, 2008 in Beijing, China. Both teams were evenly matched and had a lot to prove. The USA team started the game strong, leading 22-14 at the end of the first quarter. However, Spain came back strong in the second quarter, outscoring the USA team 21-15. At halftime, the score was 37-35 in favor of the USA team.
The third quarter was a seesaw battle, with both teams trading baskets. The USA team managed to maintain their lead, but only by a narrow margin. At the end of the third quarter, the score was 59-57 in favor of the USA team. In the fourth quarter, the USA team finally managed to break away and extend their lead. Spain fought back hard, but it was too late. The final score was 118-107 in favor of the USA team.
The MVP Of The Game
Kobe Bryant was the MVP of the game, scoring 20 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and dishing out 2 assists. He was also a key factor on defense, helping to shut down Spain's star player, Pau Gasol. Other notable players for the USA team included Dwyane Wade, who scored 27 points, and LeBron James, who had 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. For Spain, Pau Gasol was the top scorer with 21 points, while Rudy Fernandez and Juan Carlos Navarro each had 18 points.
The Aftermath
The USA team went on to win the gold medal, while Spain had to settle for the silver medal. Despite the loss, Spain had shown that they were a force to be reckoned with in international basketball. The USA team had finally regained their status as the kings of basketball and proved that they were still the dominant team in the world. The 2008 Olympic basketball finals will go down in history as one of the greatest basketball games ever played.