Chapter 1 Two Days Before the Semi-Finals

There were still two days before the semi-finals, and the final four teams were all making their final preparations.

The Spanish team underwent two consecutive days of high-intensity training.

From their actions, it could be seen that they attached great importance to the Chinese team.

On the last day before the match, a Brazilian reporter interviewed Fernandez, who had just finished training.

"What do you think about the defeat four years ago?"

The reporter's question was sharp, but Fernandez had expected the reporter to ask this question.

"That has no reference value. You know we've beaten them many times, Olympics, World Championships, warm-up matches, we've won every match you know of.

But they only won once, and it was when we were unprepared. You will only remember that one time, because it is only natural for us to win them."

Fernandez is a player with a very high spirit. He played for one season in the Trail Blazers and was already a rotation player on the team. As a result, he felt that he was not given enough attention, and he chose to leave the following year.

Facing the reporter's question, his answer was quite straightforward and confident.

"But they are different than ever before. They beat the United States team, and you have key players missing. Do you still think the team can win?"

The reporter pressed.

"Of course, Marc and Ibaka are not here, but Mirotic is here, Paul is also here, and in addition, Rull has grown, and Rodriguez had a peak performance last season.

We are still that Spanish team, and our goal has never changed, to defeat the United States team and win the Olympic gold medal."

Different from Gasol four years ago, Fernandez revealed not contempt but confidence.

He confidently believed that the Spanish team was here to win gold against the United States, and they would not lose to any team before that.

"This is the knockout stage, mate."

Fernandez said to the reporter with a smile at the end of the interview.

His implication was obvious. Whether it was them four years ago, or the United States team, losing the group stage couldn't explain anything, after all, it was just the group stage.

And now they are playing in the knockout stage.

Just like the NBA's regular season and playoffs, the playoffs are the real test.

And if they go all out, they are not afraid of any opponent, including the Chinese team and the United States team.

That Dream Team XII could be defeated by the Chinese team in the group stage, which can be called the worst in history, and this is also their best chance to win the championship!

The two days passed quickly. On August 20th, with only two days left before the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games, the men's basketball semi-finals officially kicked off.

The match between the United States and Australia started first at 3 pm that day.

Because the Olympic Games were coming to an end, many Olympic stars came to the sidelines to watch the game.

The players from the Chinese team and the Spanish team also appeared on the sidelines.

However, the process and outcome of this match were very different from what the outside world had predicted.

Australia did not continue their strong showing from previous matches, and did not give the United States team too much trouble throughout the match.

Their defense, on which they depended for survival, was wiped out by the United States team's crazy offensive.

The final score between the two sides was 66 to 99.

The United States team easily advanced to the final.

This seemed to confirm what Fernandez said, the knockout stage and the group stage are really not the same competition.

The first semi-final was completely one-sided, and the fans didn't enjoy it at all.

As a result, in the evening, the attendance rate at the stadium was even higher than in the afternoon, and even more Olympic stars were present.

The match was about to begin, and Tang Tian also gave the players a strong pep talk in the locker room.

"Trust me, I've played in many such games in the NCAA before. It's no different from the previous games. Relax your muscles, make those shots that should go in, and we can win.

Even if we don't make them, don't be nervous. With me here, we will definitely win a medal."

It would be difficult to face the Spanish team, and the Chinese team's players were inevitably a little nervous.

But Tang Tian's calmness made them relax a lot. Just like Tang Tian said, with him here, the Chinese team can win!

The match was about to begin soon, and the players from both teams entered the stadium one after another to warm up.

The atmosphere at the scene was extremely intense, which made the players from both teams instinctively excited.

Tang Tian also saw Parker and Ginobili in the audience.

Their Olympic journey had come to an end, but they would stay until the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games, and they would naturally not miss Tang Tian's match.

While watching, Tang Tian also spotted two acquaintances, Moore and Valentina Vignali.

Vignali was also watching Tang Tian, and when their eyes met, she reached out and sent him a flying kiss.

Tang Tian felt a burst of inexplicable heat in his body.

The war of words in the toilet that day flashed in his mind. In terms of excitement, it was definitely an S-level experience.

Although he didn't have the idea of doing it again, it still made his hormones and adrenaline soar.

After the entrance ceremony, the starting players from both teams took the stage one after another.

The Chinese team maintained its starting lineup from the previous match.

On the Spanish side, the guards were Rubio and Navarro, the forwards were Fernandez and Mirotic, and the center was Paul Gasol.

In terms of pure roster strength, it was indeed as Fernandez said, even if Ibaka and Gasol Jr. didn't come, the Spanish team was still very strong.

There were still a large number of Chinese fans at the scene.

In their cheers, Yi Jianlian won the jump ball against Gasol, officially kicking off the match.

The Chinese team's playing style was no different from the past. Tang Tian held the ball and broke through as soon as he came up.

The Spanish team's strategy was to triple-team.

This was also expected.

Tang Tian's performance was very stable, but the Chinese team's outside shooters were not necessarily.

This approach was also to test the Chinese team's outside shooting touch at the start.

If they were accurate, then they would be prepared to fight a tough battle. If they were not accurate, then the outcome would be decided in advance.

The Spanish team had made sufficient pre-match preparations.

However, what happened next caught them off guard.

Tang Tian did not choose to pass the ball when faced with the triple-team, but instead broke through to the right and then turned around and leaned back towards the baseline in the middle of the triple-team!

Two people are open, three people are an opportunity!

Tang Tian was possessed by Mamba from the start!

The ball passed over Mirotic's fingers.

"Swish!"

Tang Tian shot the ball in the triple-team!

"Michael, Michael..."

The cheers from the fans at the scene were thunderous, and the commentator shook his head as he spoke.

Mirotic posted up Kelan Baike in the low post, and had a good chance for a turnaround layup, but Yi Jianlian quickly helped defend and blocked the ball.

The Chinese team advanced to the frontcourt, and Tang Tian continued to hold the ball and break through. The Spanish team also continued to triple-team.

Tang Tian's unconventional choice would not change their defensive strategy.

However, something they didn't expect happened again. Tang Tian dribbled the ball through the legs of one of the defenders in the triple-team and actually rushed into the paint again.

Gasol helped defend, but he didn't choose to pass the ball either. Instead, he accelerated and took a shot after colliding with Gasol.

"Beep!"

"Swish!"

The whistle sounded and the ball went in, Tang Tian made a 2+1!

And after scoring, Tang Tian waved his hand and roared.

This was the first time he had made such a move at this year's Olympic Games, and he looked a little excited!