The United States swept to a fourth successive Olympic women's basketball gold medal with a crushing win over world champions Australia on Saturday.
The predicted fireworks failed to materialise as the Americans obliterated their fierce rivals 92-65 in a totally one-sided Beijing final to win their sixth Olympic title.
European champions Russia took bronze for the second consecutive Olympics by overpowering tournament hosts China 94-81.
The United States carried an astonishing 32-0 winning streak into Saturday's gold medal showdown, a run that was never threatened by an Australian team who came out flat.
The Opals shot a woeful 22 percent from the floor in the first half to go back to the locker room trailing by 17 points.
The Americans, who had been crushing their opponents by an average of just under 40 points, were led by 15 points from Kara Lawson, while Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker added 14 each.
Australia, who barely improved their field goal shooting during a scrappy final two quarters, took silver behind the US women for the third straight Games.
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