The Russian women returned to the Olympic podium in 2004 with bronze since Com. Independent States won gold in Barcelona in 1992. After that Russia went on to snatch silver at the 2006 Worlds and also won the 2007 European Championship by beating Spain with a strong defensive and rebounding performance at the gold medal game.

Considered as one of the best teams in international basketball, the Russian women are trying to name three American natives in their squad to compete in the Olympics.

Of the three, Becky Hammon, an ex-WNBA star, has gained Russian citizenship because she spent this season at the CSKA Moscow.

U.S team head coach Anne Donovan questioned the patriotism of Hammon, saying "If you play in this country, live in this country and you grow up in the heartland and you put on a Russian uniform, you are not a patriotic person in my mind."

China coach Tom Maher also questioned Russia's logic. "It's ridiculous how many good players the Russians have got," Maher said. "Maybe that might make them stronger."

Hammon, meanwhile, has insisted she just wants to play at the Olympics. However, whether she and her two other fellow Americans can participate in the Olympics with a Russian uniform have to be decided by FIBA, the world basketball governing body.

Perhaps the most dangerous opponent to the United States is Australia. The team has been on a surge since 2006 when Penny Taylor and Lauren Jackson led the talented Opals to the world title after they fought back against Brazil in the semifinal to reach the final, and then won convincingly over Russia. Taylor was named the Most Important Play of the final.

"The strongest Australian women's basketball team ever has been assembled for the 2008 Olympic Games," said the Australian Basketball Federation. "The world champions have the firepower to topple the United States."