RIO DE JANEIRO -- The nail-biters ended for the U.S. Olympic mens basketball team.So did a golden era of international basketball.Emphatically stopping a stretch of three straight close games, the Americans advanced to the semifinals by sprinting past Manu Ginobili and Argentina 105-78 on Wednesday n

RIO DE JANEIRO -- The nail-biters ended for the U.S. Olympic mens basketball team.So did a golden era of international basketball.Emphatically stopping a stretch of three straight close games, the Americans advanced to the semifinals by sprinting past Manu Ginobili and Argentina 105-78 on Wednesday night.In front of a chanting, flag-waving crowd of Argentines who came to throw a raucous farewell party for their Golden Generation, the Americans delivered their most complete performance in Rio.What a remarkable run by Argentina and so we knew we had to match that energy tonight. I thought we did, U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski said.Turning a slow start into an early ending with a 27-2 run in the first half, the Americans put away one old rival and set up a meeting with another. They will play Spain on Friday in a rematch of the last two gold-medal games. Australia meets Serbia in the other semifinal.Kevin Durant scored 27 points for the Americans, who had played three straight close games for the first time under Krzyzewski, setting off a round of questions at home and in Rio de Janeiro about what was wrong with them.The answer might be nothing. At least there wasnt against Argentina.We wanted to come out and our whole thing was dominating, forward Carmelo Anthony said.The Americans eliminated Argentina for the third straight Olympics, this time ending not only a tournament run for the Argentines but also a couple of careers.Ginobili, 39, and longtime teammate Andres Nocioni, 36, retired from international competition after the game, 12 years after winning gold in Athens.We had a chance to grow up together and do some good things, win some games together. It was fun. Its a lot of years, said Luis Scola, who is also 36 but plans to keep playing. We formed part of something unique we did for our country and its going to be there. Sometimes were not going to win, like today. Sometimes we won, but we fought together for many years.Ginobili scored 14 points in his final game in Argentinas blue and white, tearing up after receiving applause from his fans and warm wishes from his opponents.They congratulated me and Im very proud of their words, Ginobili said. They were very kind, very respectful and when legends of the game showed their respect, it has an extra value.The Americans have won 23 straight in the Olympics since Argentina beat them in the 2004 semifinals, and this was how they usually do it: too much firepower, too much defense and way too much talent.It took a little while to get going, as Argentina opened a 10-point lead. The Argentines made nine of their first 10 shots inside the arc and led 19-9 when Nocioni drilled a 3-pointer. But the Americans finished the first period with a 16-2 run, getting the final six points from DeMarcus Cousins, to take a 25-21 edge to the second.Three-point plays by Cousins and Jimmy Butler around Durants 3-pointer in an 11-0 start to the second made it 36-21 before Facundo Campazzo stopped the onslaught with a three-point play.Cousins, the normal starting center playing as a reserve, finished with 15 points.Spain beat France 92-67 earlier Wednesday, its fourth straight victory after two losses to open the Olympics. The U.S. edged Spain 118-107 in the 2008 final and 107-100 four years ago in London.The loudest crowd yet for a U.S. game, featuring boxer Floyd Mayweather and NBA commissioner Adam Silver, was treated to an explosive performance by the Americans, with devastating crossovers by Durant and Kyrie Irving that left defenders helpless and brought teammates to their feet on the bench.They opened a 25-point lead in the first half and were in control from that point, the first time since their second game in Rio they had it easy.We fed off wanting to play better than the last three games, Durant said.Ginobili, Scola, Nocioni and Carlos Delfino, the remaining Golden Generation players, checked in together for a last run with about 4? minutes left. Argentina fans danced, cheered and completely ignored the crooked numbers on the scoreboard while saying one long goodbye.Ginobili was replaced a few minutes later, hugging teammates, coaches and after the game Krzyzewski, before returning to the court after the teams had headed to their locker rooms to be presented a game ball by an Olympic official.Even Argentinas proud veterans didnt consider themselves medal contenders, especially after the Americans blew them out 111-74 in an exhibition game last month in Las Vegas and came to Rio as the overwhelming favorite.But once play began, the U.S. rarely played up to those expectations, with one narrow victory after another as the competition toughened. The Americans held off Australia by 10, then pulled out three-point victories over Serbia and France.They were finally in top form Wednesday.Now they have to stay there for two more games.Weve got to build on it, Durant said, but were not satisfied at all. Air Force 1 Low Italia . - Oakland Raiders running back Rashad Jennings was speaking to a group of local high school students earlier this week when the conversation turned to the importance of being prepared when opportunities in life arise. Lunar Force 1 Italia .Y. -- Jayna Hefford scored the winning goal Friday as Canada survived a scare with a 4-3 win over Sweden at the Four Nations womens hockey tournament. http://www.airforce1outletitalia.it/scontate-air-force-1-alte-gore-tex.html . The defending champion beat Gael Monfils of France 7-6 (6), 6-3, while second-seeded Andy Murray of Britain dispatched Edouard Roger-Vasselin, also of France, 6-3, 6-3. Making his first appearance since injuring his wrist a month ago, Del Potro had difficulty with his service games in the first set. Air Force 1 Alte Bianche Italia . -- Gus Malzahn finally had his day in Fayetteville. Air Force 1 Alte Bianche . But the quarterback hopes to stay involved in football after officially calling it quits Tuesday. "Id love to look at those opportunities as they arise," Pierce said in an interview from his Winnipeg eatery. New Delhi -- The Sports Ministry inquiry committee, which was probing long-distance runner OP Jaishas complaint of not being provided water during the Rio Olympics marathon event, has blamed her coach Nikolai Snesarev for the fiasco.In a two-page report, which the Ministry has accepted, it has been concluded that Snesarev refused personalised drinks for Jaisha ahead of the marathon even though Indian officials had asked him about the athletes requirements.The team leader, Mr. CK Valson and the deputy chief coach, Mr. Radhakrishnan did ask Mr. Nikolai on the eve of the marathon if Ms Jaisha required any personalised drink. They were told that she did not require any personalised drink, the report, which came out on Friday, stated.It cannot be conclusively determined whether Ms. OP Jaisha was personally asked by the team management or her coach if she wanted a personalised drink.The inquiry committee concluded that Jaisha, who had to be hospitalised after collapsing at the finish line owing to dehydration, had not requested for personalised drinks. Jaisha, however, had expressed her disappointment at not having personalised drinks after coming back from Rio.Water as available to athletes in general was available to Ms OP Jaisha as well, the report stated. Indian officials were not present at the booths where personalised drinks werre kept, but this was because they did not have any request for personalised drink for Ms.dddddddddddd O.P. Jaisha.Other countries whose athletes requested for personalised drinks were present at the booths as per rules. The coach is the chief guide to an athlete and is required to take care of his/her interest. Ms. Jaishas coach, Mr. Nikolai should have been more careful in anticipating the requirements of Ms Jaisha during the marathon and projecting the same to the organisers. He also could have given the required advice/guidance to Ms Jaisha.The committee recommended that in future events, a written consent from the athlete be taken to avoid any confusion.In future marathon races, the decision of the athlete whether he/she will require any personalised drink may be taken in writing so that there is no ambiguity about it, the report said.Athletes should be briefed in detail about the rules of the competitions, their entitlements, and facilities which would be available to them during the competitions including marathons. Marathoners should be briefed about the details of the route and the facilities available along the route.The Ministry said it has accepted the recommendations and will act on them. 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