So, as it turns out, the US is really tough to beat.

Just as they did when these two teams played last week, Argentina hung around in the first half and looked like they could actually pull off the upset. But then, just like last time, Team USA’s sheer talent took over and that was that. It wasn’t quite as emphatic as last time, but still. They dominated the second half en route to an easy win and a gold medal berth.

But it won’t get any easier, because…well, now they get to face the Brothers Gasol.

Spain 67, Russia 59

Oh, Russia. I spend two weeks talking you up as a legit medal contender, and then you lay an egg in the semis. I mean, they can still prove me right by snagging a bronze, but still. Very disappointing.

Russia started off fine. After an ugly first half that saw just 51 points combined — for reference, Team USA scored 49 in the first quarter in their monster win over Nigeria — including a first quarter that ended with Russia up 12-9, things picked up in the second. Well, for Spain at least. Not so much for the Russians. Leading by 11 at the half, Russia watched helplessly as a late third quarter run tied the game going into the fourth. They retook the lead briefly, at 49-46, but Spain answered with a 15-2 run to take a commanding lead that Russia couldn’t make much of a dent in. Oddly, Spain made this run with Pau Gasol sitting on the bench.

So, after everything, we’re left with the Gold medal matchup we all thought we’d be getting. Spain vs. USA. The Spanish-American War II: Electric Boogaloo.

Despite a much stronger showing than expected, at the end of the day, Team USA just has too much talent for a team like Australia. Australia kind of sort of hung around, only down 14 going into the fourth quarter, but then the US decided to just run them off the court and that was that. Full details can be found here.

Russia 83, Lithuania 74

While this may not have been a dominant win, it was a win, and it means that Russia gets to take on Spain for a shot at the gold. Andrei Kirilenko continues to look like the all-star he was a few years ago, to the delight of Timberwolves fans everywhere. He’s basically been LeBron lite for Russia, and having a player like that is a massive edge in basketball. I’m not totally convinced Russia has the size to stand up to Spain inside, but they’ve got a legitimate shot, which is really all you can ask for.

Spain 66, France 59

Oh, France. You were so close, and then choked it away. France actually led by 3 after three quarters, in prime position to pull off a mildly shocking upset, and then proceeded to score just six points in the entire fourth quarter. That’s just sad. I mean, Spain only scored 15, which isn’t great, but it sure looks like it when the other team just has six. Meanwhile, Spain and the Gasols (Sounds like a really weird rock band, doesn’t it?) get to take on the Russians. Disappointed in you, France.

Then again, this is France we’re talking about.

Argentina 82, Brazil 77

The only all South American olympic quarterfinal in recent memory (which is to say, from this year, since I barely remember anything from Beijing in 2008) started with Brazil staking a first quarter lead, collapsing and allowing Argentina to surge well ahead, and then ended with a furious comeback that fell short. Someone should really have made sure Brazil understood that the second and third quarters count too. Now the Argentinians get to take on a USA squad that beat them senseless just last weekend and hope they can make enough adjustments to avoid a repeat.