China earn respect, Lithuania roll into semi-finals
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-08-27 07:55

Undefeated Lithuania rolled into the Olympic men's basketball semi-finals with a 95-75 triumph over China in Athens, but the Asian champions earned some respect in defeat from the European champions.

China's Yao Ming (L) grabs for the ball as he fights off Lithuania's Eurelijus Zukauskas (R) in the men's basketball quarter-finals at the Olympic Indoor Hall in Athens during the Olympic Games. [Reuters]

Arvydas Macijauskas scored 32 points to lift Lithuania into a Friday semi-final against Italy after escaping a potential quarter-final knockout.

"The highest psychological tension placed on the team is this step," said Lithuania coach Antanas Sireika. "We're very happy to have overcome this barrier. The big stone fell down from the heart of the coach."

The United States, which lost to Lithuania in the preliminary round, faces either Greece or Argentina in the other semi-final after downing previously unbeaten Spain 102-94.

Instead of a medal, Spain will play China on Saturday for seventh place.

The Chinese team will produce their best Olympic finish if they win, improving upon an eighth-place effort in 1996.

"We're hoping to show our experience has made us better players," China coach Del Harris said. "I hope our players feel the proper motivation to show they have benefitted from playing top world competition."

Lithuania, bronze medallists the past three Olympics, beat the US team in the preliminary round but could see the Americans again in the final. After a 2000 Sydney semi-final loss to the US squad, Lithuania could dethrone them.

"In Sydney we lost to the United States in a very close match," Lithuanian forward Mindaugas Zukauskas said. "We've already beaten them once here, but it will be double revenge if we get to beat them in the finals."

NBA Houston Rockets center Yao Ming scored 29 points and 11 rebounds for China, which stayed within reach of Lithuania most of the first half.

"We're not playing at the same status as Lithuania," Yao said. "We should now know how the Europeans play at this level and how we can reach them. We now know how to improve ourselves."

China's gap to Europe's finest might not be so huge, Macijauskas said.

"They're a strong team. They have the best center in the tournament in Yao Ming, and it was hard for us to stop him," he said.

Lithuania kept China at bay in the second half, but Harris took pride in his team's effort.

"In the second half I thought they went down fighting," Harris said. "I liked what I saw."

"We're simply not at the same level," Chinese forward Ke Chen said. "We played well but they were a better team."

China captain Li Nan was pleased the team found offense from sources other than Yao.

"At the start our offense was better. We didn't totally rely on Yao Ming," Li said. "We will do our best against Spain."

Lithuanian assistant coach Donnie Nelson, like Harris an NBA assistant with the Dallas Mavericks, said China's showing here is a stepping stone to greater things at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"Every young team has to go through what China is going through right now. There's just no substitute for experience," Nelson said.

"China will be very proud of that team in 2008. Yao will be in his prime. These guys will be more experienced and more ready for this. It's a team that will get better with time."

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