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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 careers.Ginobili, 39, and longtime 36-year-old teammate Andres Nocioni 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 two more games.Weve got to build on it, Durant said, but were not satisfied at all.---Follow Brian Mahoney on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Briancmahoney Cheap Ray Ban Wayfarer Sale . Pettersen, winner of last years Evian Championships, had nine birdies and three bogeys, holding off a series of challengers led by Marion Ricordeau of France. The second-ranked Norwegian made her season debut after missing the LPGA Tours opening event last month in the Bahamas because of a shoulder injury. Cheap Ray Ban Aviator Sunglasses . PETERSBURG, Fla. http://www.rbsunglassesoutletcheap.us/ray-ban-wayfarer-sunglasses.html . The team says the Spain international has a muscle pull in his right leg. Barcelona hosts third-division side Cartagena in the return leg of their round-of-32 tie after winning their first meeting 4-1. 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LOUIS -- Cardinals cleanup hitter Allen Craig says hes recovered from a foot injury and ready to be put on St. Brisbane coach John Aloisi claims Jamie Maclaren and Tommy Oar will earn Socceroos call-ups for the 2018 World Cup if they play to their potential in the A-League.The Roar duo are hovering on the periphery of the national set-up but face stiff competition to force their way back into coach Ange Postecoglous ever-improving squad, should they qualify for Russia 2018.Maclaren was handed his first Socceroos cap in a 2-1 friendly loss to England in June after scoring 20 goals in last seasons breakout campaign.The 23-year-old striker led a two-pronged attack alongside Robbie Kruse on starting debut in Sunderland.But hes yet to receive a recall, with Postecoglou so far preferring Tomi Juric, Tim Cahill and Apostolos Giannou in the final phase of World Cup qualifying.For Oar its been nearly a year between drinks, a former Socceroos regular who fell down the pecking order and hasnt featured since last Novembers first-stage World Cup qualifying win over Bangladesh.But at 24, the speedy winger is in his prime and in an ideal environment to reboot his international career in time for Russia.A full pre-season at Brisbane should provide the stability to thrive after last years six joyless and injury-riddled months with English Championship side Ipswich Town.Oars depth of experience in two World Cups and two Asian Cups would be attractive to Postecoglou, and both he and Maclaren have a golden opportunity to impress as part of a Roar squad also featuring former Socceroo Brett Holman.ddddddddddddThe key for the pair will be getting consistent minutes, starting against Melbourne Victory in next Fridays season-opener.Aloisi believed the pair could make it happen.Jamie Maclaren and Tommy Oar will definitely be pushing hard for the World Cup, Aloisi told AAP.Thats something they shouldnt really focus on - they should just focus on performing well with Brisbane and working hard in training.But if they do perform the way we know they can, I think they will get selected for 2018.I think theyre players Ange likes. Maclaren can score goals, we know that.And Tommy is dynamic. He finds really good areas on the pitch but hes very direct when he gets the ball and runs at players.Aloisi felt the A-League was becoming a more and more valuable talent pool for Postecoglou to draw from, with the return of past and present Socceroos including Melbourne City recruit Tim Cahill further lifting the competitions profile and quality.The Socceroos play their next World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on October 7 before taking on arch-rivals Japan in Melbourne on October 11. Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys cheap jerseys Cheap Jersyes Cheap Basketball Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys cheap jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '