‘Absolutely none,' the 65-year-old USA coach joked. ‘I'm out every night with my family … Wait until you see me tonight!' Argentina, featuring five members of the squad that won gold at Athens 2004, were highlighted as one of the teams that could give the USA a real challenge in the semi-final. Instead, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony took it in turns to carry the team in spurts as they pulled away for a 109-83 victory. But it is not sealed yet – the final is a rematch against a Spanish team who pushed the USA all the way in a 118-107 victory in Beijing 2008, even though key man Jose Calderon was missing with injury. Krzyzewski said: ‘They have one of the top five players in the world in Pau Gasol. Calderon hit huge shots for them (in their semi-final against Russia). ‘They have the best rotation of big guys in the tournament. They have a deep bench. Sergio Llull is dynamite, a fiery player. They are a team that can beat us.' Spain's ‘Los Chicos de Oro', the golden generation who first emerged with victory at the 1999 World Junior Championships, going on to win the 2006 World Championship, Olympic Games silver in 2008, and European titles in 2009 and 2011, are approaching the end of a long road. ‘Very few people get a chance to compete in an Olympic final in their lives,' said Gasol. ‘We are fortunate to have a second chance.' Spain have not looked at their best throughout this tournament, and they fell into a 13-point hole against Russia before rallying to win their semi-final 67-59. But the spirit they displayed in coming back showed a team unwilling to let their second chance slip away. ‘Before this match, we weren't playing the way we know we could,' said Sergio Rodriguez. ‘But when this team are against the wall, we always respond.'
