体坛英语新闻：China to meet U.S. in basketball opener at Olympic Games

BEIJING, April 26 (Xinhua) -- The host China's men's basketball team will face the United States Dream Team on the opener of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games as the draw of men's and women's basketball competitions was held here on Saturday.

    China was bracketed in Group B with the U.S., world champion Spain, African champion Angola and two qualifiers from the Olympic qualifying competition on July 14th-20th at Athens, Greece.

    In the other group, European champion Russia will face Olympic gold-medalist Argentina, Lithuania, Australia, Iran and a qualifier.

    The women's draw took place earlier, with China, the U.S., New Zealand and Mali in Group B, and South Korea, Australia and Russia in Group A. Another five berths are to be decided on June 9th-15thin Madrid, Spain.

The International Basketball Association (FIBA) held Saturday the draw for the basketball competitions of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing at the Wukesong Arena. China's men's basketball team will face the United States Dream Team on the opener of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

    "It will be an eye-catching opener between the host and the U.S.A.," FIBA President Bob Elphinston said.

    Li Yuanwei, vice president of the Chinese Basketball Association, said the men's team has a tough group while the women's draw is okey.

    "It's a difficult group with opponents like Spain and the U.S.A.. The women's group is okey," Li said.

The International Basketball Association (FIBA) held Saturday the draw for the basketball competitions of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing at the Wukesong Arena.

Greece, Germany, Brazil and Canada have better shot at the men's qualifying tournament, with Slovenia, Croatia, New Zealand and Purto Rico not ready to give up.

    Two of the three qualifiers will join Group B to make it tougher than Group A.

    The Chinese women's team is aiming high as world champion Australia and runners-up Russia are bracketed into the other group.

    China has little chance to beat three-time Olympic champion the U.S., but has better record against New Zealand and African teams.

    The basketball competitions will set off from August 9-24 at the Beijing Olympic Games at the Wukesong Arena.