The Redeem team has been confirming all the expectations that everybody had on them until now. They have been giving the crowd a very pleasant show in all games and much more important than that, as giving shows to the crowd doesn't mean winning games, they have been superior than all their opponents, which was their main mission for Beijing: get back to the number one spot in the world of basketball.

They are now in the semi finals and with medals very close to be conquered, but now one of their main opponents is their obstacle to reach the final: Argentina.

We all watched the United States slaughtering the Spanish world champions by 37 points and it would be legitimate to think that the same will happen in this game, however if there is a team which knows how the United States play, it's Argentina.

We all know Ginobili, Scola, Oberto, Nocioni and Delfino. They have all played in the NBA last season and their knowledge of the American style of play may offer the US something that they are yet to get in this tournament: an opponent which can actually slow down the pace.

Wade has been amazing, almost at the same he had when he carried the Heat to their title, but the player with most impact in these games has been Howard, who has been a beast, dominating the paint with powerful dunks. But with Scola and Oberto in the paint, Howard won't have the easy task he had in the previous matches, as they are smart guys capable of putting Howard in foul trouble.

Kobe had his best performance in Beijing on the last match against Australia and it looks like he is coming to his real level. He will be decisive in the two remaining games of the team in here.

Everybody expects an easy win of the United States in here and I remember they are listed as a 20 points favorite in here, but if this match becomes a ball game, then there the United States will try to do everything to avoid Manu Ginobili to get the ball. We all know Manu and his importance in clutch games. Manu in the Argentinian squad is the same Manu we watched in San Antonio and fortunately for Argentina (and Popovich of course), Manu is in great form, leading the scorers with 20.3 ppg and he will be the main threat for the American defense.

We all expect a good game and this will be another opportunity for the Redeem Team to show how hard they are committed to get the gold in here and when the effort combines with the talent, the mixture is too explosive for any opponent they can possibly face.