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| World powers in basketball clash | World powers in basketball clash |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| By Michael Bristow BBC News, Beijing | By Michael Bristow BBC News, Beijing |
| Two days after the start of this summer's games, China and the United States went head to head in the basketball arena. | Two days after the start of this summer's games, China and the United States went head to head in the basketball arena. |
| It was a contest between two nations that compete in so many other arenas | It was a contest between two nations that compete in so many other arenas |
| It was a contest between two nations that compete in so many other arenas - for natural resources, political influence and financial gain. | It was a contest between two nations that compete in so many other arenas - for natural resources, political influence and financial gain. |
| And if either side needed any extra incentive, political leaders from both countries watched on from the sidelines. | And if either side needed any extra incentive, political leaders from both countries watched on from the sidelines. |
| Sports fan and US President George W Bush, in China to see the opening of the Olympic Games, took his seat alongside Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Joachim. | Sports fan and US President George W Bush, in China to see the opening of the Olympic Games, took his seat alongside Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Joachim. |
| Over the last few days, during a tour of East Asia, Mr Bush has criticised China's record on human rights and religious freedom. | Over the last few days, during a tour of East Asia, Mr Bush has criticised China's record on human rights and religious freedom. |
| He did it again on Sunday after attending a religious service in Beijing. | He did it again on Sunday after attending a religious service in Beijing. |
| Talking about China's control over its churches, the US president said: "No state, man or woman should fear the influence of loving religion." | Talking about China's control over its churches, the US president said: "No state, man or woman should fear the influence of loving religion." |
| But if China's foreign minister was annoyed by Mr Bush's comments, he was too diplomatic to show it at a basketball match. | But if China's foreign minister was annoyed by Mr Bush's comments, he was too diplomatic to show it at a basketball match. |
| He chatted happily to the US president and, like a good host, handed out bottles of water to his American guests. | He chatted happily to the US president and, like a good host, handed out bottles of water to his American guests. |
| Sat in ordinary seats, it was only the presence of burly security guards that marked these very important people out from the rest of the crowd. | Sat in ordinary seats, it was only the presence of burly security guards that marked these very important people out from the rest of the crowd. |
| Soaking up the atmosphere | Soaking up the atmosphere |
| This contest was eagerly anticipated in China, where basketball is a popular sport. It is just one of many North American inventions admired by the Chinese. | |
| But home fans were expecting defeat even before they braved driving rain to get to the Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium. | But home fans were expecting defeat even before they braved driving rain to get to the Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium. |
| Even if they did not fancy China's chances, fans said they came to see a historic match | Even if they did not fancy China's chances, fans said they came to see a historic match |
| "Of course, China will lose. I'm just here for the atmosphere," said Yu Peng, who was attending the match with his wife. | "Of course, China will lose. I'm just here for the atmosphere," said Yu Peng, who was attending the match with his wife. |
| Eighteen-year-old Guan Xuetong - an avid basketball fan - said the same before he went to find his seat among the crowd. | Eighteen-year-old Guan Xuetong - an avid basketball fan - said the same before he went to find his seat among the crowd. |
| The high-school pupil said he was there because it was a historic match. | The high-school pupil said he was there because it was a historic match. |
| "My classmates have asked me to take some pictures for them," he said. | "My classmates have asked me to take some pictures for them," he said. |
| But even before the game got under way, there were signs that these Chinese fans were hoping their team could overcome the odds. | But even before the game got under way, there were signs that these Chinese fans were hoping their team could overcome the odds. |
| "Go China," shouted a woman selling Chinese flags for 10 yuan ($1.50) as fans trickled in with the national colours draped around their shoulders. | "Go China," shouted a woman selling Chinese flags for 10 yuan ($1.50) as fans trickled in with the national colours draped around their shoulders. |
| And when the game got under way, there was no doubt this was a partisan crowd. Their star is Yao Ming, a 2.29m (7ft 6in) giant who plays for Houston Rockets in the US. | And when the game got under way, there was no doubt this was a partisan crowd. Their star is Yao Ming, a 2.29m (7ft 6in) giant who plays for Houston Rockets in the US. |
| There was a giant roar when he put the home side ahead after just 40 seconds. | There was a giant roar when he put the home side ahead after just 40 seconds. |
| After that, every Chinese point was cheered - as was every US mistake. | After that, every Chinese point was cheered - as was every US mistake. |
| The biggest roar came when China levelled the score at 29 points each. | The biggest roar came when China levelled the score at 29 points each. |
| But it was not to be China's night. They eventually lost 101 points to 70, the US ascendant - as it is in so many other spheres. | But it was not to be China's night. They eventually lost 101 points to 70, the US ascendant - as it is in so many other spheres. |
| As they trudged off home after the match, Chinese fans did not seem unduly disappointed. | As they trudged off home after the match, Chinese fans did not seem unduly disappointed. |
| "It was a great experience," said one, still sporting a Chinese flag painted on the side of his face. | "It was a great experience," said one, still sporting a Chinese flag painted on the side of his face. |
| He no doubt believes that his team - as well as his country - will only get stronger. | He no doubt believes that his team - as well as his country - will only get stronger. |