In August 2008, the “Redeem Team” of Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard defeated Spain in the final of the Beijing Olympic Games, in the “greatest match of all time”.
Four years later, on August 12, 2012, the Americans and the Spanish did it again at the London Olympics, facing off for the Olympic title. And, just like in 2008, it was Team USA that came away with the gold medal around its neck. In the wake, once again, of Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, supported by Kevin Durant or Kevin Love.
Before reaching the final at the Basketball Arena, however, both teams had experienced mixed fortunes.
On the one hand, the UNITED STATES had a perfect run, dominating France (+27), Tunisia (+47), Nigeria (+83), Lithuania (+5) and Argentina (+29) in the group stage. Then, they disposed of Australia (+33) and Argentina (+26) in the knockout stage.
On the other side, theSpain first chained three victories in the group stage (China, Australia, Great Britain), then dropped two matches (Russia, Brazil), one of which was strategic. This did not, however, prevent it from reaching the quarter-finals (France) and then the semi-finals (Russia).
Imperial Americans in “money time”
Suffice to say that, on paper, it was the dream finale, remake of the 2008 Olympic Games, between the world champion and the reigning European champion. Obviously, there was no shortage of famous players, with Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul facing Pau Gasol, Juan Carlos Navarro, Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka and Rudy Fernandez.
On the pitch, this duel at the top in any case kept all its promises, with a tough show, of exceptional intensity, and an American selection that managed to achieve a decisive acceleration in the “money time”. As in 2008, finally.
Led by Pau Gasol (24 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists) and Juan Carlos Navarro, the “Roja” played their luck bravely, but Kevin Durant (30 points, 9 rebounds), LeBron James (19 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists), Kobe Bryant (17 points) and others were simply too strong and better equipped over time.
Held back by Spain for a long time, Team USA relied on its LeBron/Kobe/Durant trio throughout the game to respond to the Gasol/Navarro pair. On the scoreboard, the score gap never got very high and it took until the final act to see Mike Krzyzewski's men make the difference, with in particular an imperial “King James” in the “crunch time”, in line with his Finals against the Thunder…
Final score: 107-100 for the United States, who then won their second Olympic gold medal in a row.
