U.S. women cruise to semifinals

ATHENS, Greece — One game it's Lisa Leslie, another it's Tina Thompson or Diana Taurasi. Even the player they call Pee Wee can't be ignored.

Playing this U.S. basketball team leaves opponents breathless, dizzy and frustrated. Because it's impossible to cover them all.

"There are so many players who can step up," Leslie said. "You never know who's going to shine."

Shannon Johnson took her turn Wednesday. The 5-foot-7 guard who goes by the nickname Pee Wee scored 21 points and the United States stormed into the semifinals with a 102-72 victory over Greece, which had heart, the home court and little else.

It was the first starring appearance for Johnson, who had scored only 12 points in the first five games. Leslie, the team's leading scorer in the tournament, accepted a supporting role this time and seemed not the least bit bothered, recalling something that 1996 Olympic coach Tara Van Derveer once said.

"We're like an orchestra and no one has any particular solos," Leslie said. "We just make very good music."

The Americans are humming along quite nicely. They hushed a boisterous crowd with their all-around domination against Greece and will renew their longtime rivalry with Russia on Friday, a rematch of the world championships final in 2002.

The United States won that game 79-74 after Russia pulled to within a point with 3 1/2 minutes left.

"We are going to play after tomorrow and we will see who will be stronger," Russia's Ilona Korstin said.

The United States has plenty of motivation, too. The Americans can't win the gold medal unless they beat Russia and there's some history involved. Russia, then called the Unified Team, beat the United States 79-73 in the 1992 semifinals in Barcelona — the last time a U.S. team lost in the Olympics.

Russia advanced with a 70-49 victory over the Czech Republic. The semifinal winners meet Saturday for the gold medal.

"This is it. No regrets now," Thompson said. "There's no getting it back or catching up from a loss. That would mean no gold medal and, for us, no gold medal means failure."

Australia will play Brazil in the other semifinal. Australia beat New Zealand for the 23rd straight time, 94-55, while Brazil advanced with a 67-63 victory over Spain.