AUS/LTU – Australia destroy nemesis Lithuania

BEIJING (Olympics) – Australia turned the basketball world upside down by humiliating red-hot and traditional nemesis Lithuania 106 -75 on the last day of preliminary round action at the Olympics.

Brian Goorjian’s team, thrashed in its opening two games by Croatia and Argentina, have now beaten Iran, European champions Russia and Lithuania, a side that defeated them in bronze-medal games at both the Summer Games of Atlanta and Sydney.

Andrew Bogut had nine of his game-high 23 points in the first quarter when the Boomers took a 28-14 lead.

Bogut was four of five from the floor in that opening frame, which included a make on his only three-pointer.

Next up for the Boomers, who finished fourth in Group A, is a quarter-final against the United States, but Goorjian wants to savour the win over Lithuania first and it’s no wonder.

The Lithuanians had won all four of their previous Olympic encounters, and beaten Australia at the 2006 FIBA World Championship.

“We played a European world power today,” Goorjian said.

“They are like the military. They come in and they kicked our ass many times. We played a very good game of basketball and I’m very proud of it.”

Lithuania did not make any excuses, but stressed the game would have no bearing on their quarter-final against China or Greece.

“The team that we have, it definitely doesn’t shake our confidence,” Lithuania’s Linas Kleiza said to FIBA.com.

“They came out good, they played great. We relaxed, thought that everything was done.”

When the dust had settled, Australia had shot an unworldly 16 of 25 (64%) from long range, with Bogut, Brad Newley and Chris Anstey each a perfect three of three.

Eight Aussies hit shots from behind the arc.

What made the win even more impressive was the defense that Australia played. They forced Lithuania to commit 25 turnovers

Lithuania coach Ramunas Butautas said: “Congratulations to Australia. They played fantastic, played very aggressive defense and were successful on offense. We played very bad. It was not our day.”

Lithuania had already clinched first place in Group A after winning their opening four games. They will take on the loser of Greece’s game against China in the quarter-finals.

“Our players began to play in the quarter-finals too early, but I believe in my team and my players,” Butautas said.

Australia delivered the knockout punch over the final five minutes of the second quarter, outscoring the Lithuanians 16-2 for a 55-29 advantage at half-time.

The Boomers now have a quarter-final against gold-medal favourites Team USA.

When asked about his tactics for Team USA, Goorjian said: “There is no game plan for the USA. We have a chance to take a swing at the USA. I’m confident we are going to get out there and play ball.

“I don’t know if we can, or can’t. I like the way we are playing. I don’t even want to look at the tapes.”

Australia pushed the United States hard in their friendly in Shanghai before the Olympics and ever since, the USA have been ruthless against their opponents.

The Americans even thrashed Greece and world champions Spain.

Goorjian, meanwhile, wanted to send a message to everyone Down Under.

“I want our country to be proud of our team,” he said. “Everybody in Australia will be watching that game. Hopefully, we will play as we have today.”

TO FIND OUT HOW THE GROUP RANKINGS ARE CALCULATED, DOWNLOAD THE FIBA RULES AND CHECK PAGE 71

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