Redemption close for U.S. men's basketball

By Alastair Himmer

BEIJING (Reuters) - There can not be too many world champions who are almost unbackable to win the final of the following Olympics competition.

Spain's men's basketball team, however, is to face a United States team hell bent on regaining their Olympic supremacy and just eight days after being put to the sword by the Americans in a 119-82 blowout in the group stages.

"We don't expect to do to Spain what we did last time," leading U.S. scorer LeBron James said before Sunday's final.

"It's a brand new game. We're not an overconfident team, but we are confident."

The Americans have good reason to be. They have trampled their opponents by an average of 30 points a game and nobody but Spain believes they will not surge to a 13th Olympic gold.

"Nobody's unbeatable," said Argentine forward Luis Scola after the 2004 gold medalists had been overpowered 101-81 by the U.S. in the semi-finals.

"But they jump higher, they run faster, they're stronger. You've got to play ugly and make them feel uncomfortable. That's the only way."

Having avenged their defeat by Argentina in the semi-finals four years ago, the Americans will look to remind Spain of their superiority.

"I don't know what the odds on us winning are," said Spain coach Aito Garcia Reneses. "But for certain we won't repeat the game we had before."

For Kobe Bryant, the NBA's Most Valuable Player, winning Olympic gold would be the perfect way to celebrate turning 30 on Saturday, the day before the final.

"I feel younger now than I did a couple of years ago," said the Los Angeles Lakers guard. "My legs feel great. I feel good."

Bryant does not expect his team mates to tease him about turning 30.

"They know they've got to see me come October (when the NBA season begins)," he said with a wink.

"So they're not going to say too much."

Argentina's best player Manu Ginobili, who left its semi-final with a twisted ankle, is a doubt for Sunday's bronze medal game against Lithuania.

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)