LILLE: Australia beat Spain 92-80 in their Olympic Group A men's basketball opener today at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium.
The Australians made a strong start and finished seven points clear in a feisty first half in which Spain's Usman Garuba was involved in an incident with Australia's Josh Green which led to both players being booked.
The NBA's Golden State Warriors forward was booed by the crowd after he also fouled Australia's Josh Giddey.
Spain captain Rudy Fernandez, making his record sixth appearance at the Games, the most by a male basketball player, could not lead his team to victory despite leading in the third half.
Spain, three-times silver medallists, will be hoping to improve on their sixth-place finish at the Tokyo Games. In Group A, Greece take on Canada, while Germany face Japan and hosts France meet Brazil in Group B later today. - REUTERS