The Chinese women's basketball team set to go past Belarus on Tuesday on their way to the Olympics semis, a goal they are more confident about after beating European powerhouses Spain and the Czech Republic.
Since Tom Maher became the squad's coach, the Chinese women have played more games with European teams and now have a better understanding on how to play better against the Europeans, according to Song Xiaoyun, China's guard.
"I think playing against Belarus is similar to playing against other European teams," she said. "If we can make full use of our strong points, we can beat them."
On his part, Maher was not worried about the game due to a winning record in the preliminary rounds.
"We've beaten teams that are better than us," Maher said. "If we can beat Spain and the Czechs then we can beat Belarus.... I'm absolutely confident."
Although they have never played against Belarus, the team believed if they bring out the normal level of playing, and execute the plans set down during the training, they would have a win, said guard Bian Lan.
The Chinese women's team, which grabbed a bronze at the Los Angeles Games and a silver at Barcelona 1992, placed only ninth in Athens 2004.
The team sees the Beijing Olympics a chance to deliver a long-awaited comeback with head coach Maher predicting a chance to charge into the Games semis.
In the quarter-final match between the United States and South Korea, little suspense is expected due to the Americans' dominance on basketball court.
"I have to confess that we are weaker than the United States," said South Korean coach Jung Duk Hwa. "I don't think we can win. I just want a good game."
His team have to make good defence in the game due to the disadvantages in height, Jung elaborated. But to only make a good defence is not enough.
"We have to do more research on them and we have to strengthen our offence," he said.
But the Americans, unbeatable in the preliminary round, still see things they would take care of when encountering the Asian style.
"The biggest thing is that they're good at shooting the three, like most Asian teams," said Lisa Leslie, the American center.
"I played in South Korea," she added. "Some of the players on their team I've actually played with."
"They're a good challenge," said the American coach Anne Donovan.
The Aussies, also with an impeccable winning record in the preliminary round, would meet the Czechs on Tuesday.
Australia, silver medallist at both Athens 2004 and Sydney 2000, claimed the title of the World Championship in 2006.
The Aussies, considered to have a chance to stop the United States from winning the fourth consecutive Olympics gold, appear to play upper hand against the Czechs, who placed fifth at the Athens Games and seven at the 2006 World Championship.
The Russians, who at the 2006 World Championships beat Spain and the United States on the way to losing to Australia in the final, on Tuesday take on Spain, who are determined to play fast and concentrate on rebounds.
"It's important that we play our game," Isabel Sanchez said of the game against Russia. "I think we need to play fast. We need to fast break and be aggressive in the passing lane."
"They're so much taller than us," said Amaya Valdemoro of Spain. "We have to watch our rebounds and block their shots."
(Xinhua News Agency August 18, 2008)
