Team USA wins Basketball Gold in Beijing Olympics

Mission Accomplished.

The three-year plan of USA Basketball to recapture Basketball glory came into fruition as Team USA beat a game Spanish side, 118 - 107 to recapture the Gold Medal in the Men's Basketball competition in the Olympics being held in Beijing.

Reigning world champion Spain was bent to make a game of it, - played an inspired and physical game - pushing Team USA to the closest match it ever faced in this Summer spectacle.

In the end, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade and the rest of Team USA, proved too much to handle. Bryant's and Wade's performance stood tall amongst the superstar-laden squad to lead the team to the gold medal victory.

The Spanish team that showed for this gold medal match is far different from the one Team USA clobbered by 37 points. This team came out fighting tooth and nail right at the opening tip.

Watch Team USA's Gold Medal Performance here.



Spain was up 15 - 11 on a Ricky Rubio lay-up with just under six minutes to play in the first quarter. Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade helped the team take the lead 24 - 22 and never looked back, leading by seven after the opening quarter.

Wade was the star of the first half. He had a number of steals that lead to easy layups and scored 21 first half points. Spain battled them relatively even, finishing the half only down by eight points.

The crowd was anticipating a strong second half start from Team USA just like they did in their previous conquest. Instead, it was Spain who came out strong. They opened with a much better defense and a better execution in the offensive end. Juan Carlos Navarro's penetrations closed the gap 71 - 75 with six minutes to go.

But Team USA closed out strong with 20 - 8 run to erect a much comfortable 91 - 80 lead capped off by a Carmelo Anthony trey.

Spain scored nine straight points in the first two minutes of the fourth quarter 91 - 89. After a time-out, Team USA countered with seven straight points of their own to restore a more comfortable lead.

From there, it was tough fight until the end. The lead was five with almost 3 1/2 minutes to go after a Pau Gasol basket, 104 - 99 for Team USA.

Bryant hit a three pointer with the last foul of Rudy Fernandez. Then, put a finger to his lips to silence the pro-Spain crowd before completing the four-point play.

Spain was not yet finished though. Navarro scored again with a leaner and dished off to Jimenez for an open three to threaten for the last time, 108 - 104 with only 2:15 to play.

Wade converted on a three pointer of his own to start a 10 - 4 of Team USA run to take the fight out of Spain.

Though Team USA never dominated the game, the win will feel much sweeter after fiercely fought game.