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Aussie women basketballers blast "rude" Americans

SI At The Olympics • Grant Wahl: Women's Soccer -- One-on-One with April Heinrichs • Brian Cazeneuve: Pinning away • Tim Layden: U.S. track coach faces tough call • Leigh Montville: A movable feast More Features • Viewers' Guide: What to watch for • Quiz: Today's Tester • Closer Look: Michael Lewis -- U.S. soccer team uses its heads Multimedia • Photo Gallery: Athletes arrive • Photo Gallery: Let the games begin • Multimedia Central: Photo Galleries, Audio and More

SYDNEY, Aug 29 (AFP) - Australia's women basketballers will use a stinging snub by Olympic favourites the United States as motivation for their assault on a podium finish.

The Americans recently said they considered their major threats to be Brazil, Russia and France, infuriating the Aussies.

It was a stiff rebuke to the 1996 bronze medallists who are coming off a tour of Europe where they lost two thrillers to France.

While Opals forward Trish Fallon tipped the Americans as the team to beat, she sent a warning to the favourites -- don't write off the hosts.

"That's typical of the US. They're in for a rude shock," Fallon said.

Like the men, the United States dominates women's basketball at international level and swept aside the Opals in both 1984 and 1996 on their way to Olympic gold.

But Fallon believes the current Australian side is better than the one which earned bronze in Atlanta.

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