Spain Rallies To Top Russia, Advance To Gold-Medal Game

After one half of play, it looked like Spain was dead in the water against Russia in the semifinals of the 2012 Olympic basketball tournament. Russia’s defense was frustrating them, and they hit just six field goals in the first half. But all that changed in the second half, as they caught fire from three-point range to rally for a 67-59 win and a berth in the gold medal game.

Spain now advances to the gold medal game on Sunday at 10 a.m. ET, when they could meet Team USA in a rematch of the Beijing gold medal game. Russia will square off against the loser of the Team USA-Argentina semifinal in the bronze medal game on Sunday.

With a spot in the gold-medal game at the 2012 Olympic basketball tournament on the line, Team Russia has played an inspired first half against Spain. Their defense has been all over the place, holding Spain to just six made field goals over the entire first half. That has keyed a 31-20 halftime lead for Russia.

The winner plays the winner of Team USA vs. Argentina in the gold-medal game.

When Spain and Russia met earlier in the men’s Olympic basketball tournament, it was a battle for first place in Group B. Now, they meet again and this time, the stakes are a little higher. The two teams will meet Friday in the semifinals with a spot in the gold medal game on the line.

The winner of this game will advance to the gold medal game where they will face either the United States or Argentina. The loser will play the loser of the other semifinal for the bronze medal.