Aussies call U.S. women's team "dirty"

BEIJING (Reuters) - Australia's women basketball players have accused Olympic champions the Unites States of being a dirty team before the start of the Beijing Games.

The Americans, however, believe their gold medal rivals are over-reacting following a spiteful warm-up game earlier this week in which Australia's Penny Taylor was left sporting a black eye.

"It was intentional," insisted Taylor's team mate Kristi Harrower after their bruising 71-67 loss. "Elbows were raised. I don't know if they were trying to injure us for the Olympics."

Australia's best player Lauren Jackson poured fuel on the fire by warning there could be "broken bones" when the Olympic competition gets under way on Saturday.

The U.S. refused to rise to the bait.

"I'm perplexed," American coach Anne Donovan told Reuters on Thursday. "Whenever we play Australia we expect a physical game. Australia are one of the most physical teams out there.

"It was a physical game because the officials let it get physical. It was a bit too physical for me -- and obviously for Australia. But it certainly wasn't one-sided."

Jackson's remarks had threatened to ignite a war of words between the world's top two teams before a ball had been bounced in anger in Beijing.

"We're used to playing against teams that are going to beat the crap out of us, because we are so good," said Jackson.

"People have to stop us somehow and that's the way they're going to stop us. People like Penny and myself and Belinda Snell you just can't let go to the basket because we'll kill people.

"So they're going to really stop us anyway that they can. And generally that's when black eyes and broken bones occur."

AMERICANS UNIMPRESSED

However, the U.S. players were unimpressed, choosing not to fan the flames before their opening game against the Czech Republic.

"Okay -- whatever!" shrugged American veteran Lisa Leslie, who will be attempting to win a fourth Olympic gold medal. "We gotta go get gold. Whatever it takes."

Slam-dunking sensation Candace Parker, who was recently suspended by the WNBA along with Leslie for an on-court brawl, told Reuters: "I don't see us as dirty players. I don't think we took any dirty shots. It was just a hard game. We have nicks and bruises too."

The U.S. could only manage bronze in Brazil following an upset semi-final defeat by Russia. Watching Australia take gold rubbed salt into the wound.

"You don't just go and pick up a gold medal any more," said Donovan. "The rest of the world has caught up to us. Whenever we play Australia there is a healthy rivalry. From my perspective it's healthy."

(Editing by Steve Ginsburg)