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Last Updated: Monday, 23 August, 2004, 21:51 GMT 22:51 UK
China oust world champions
China's Yao Ming shows what victory means to him
China beat world champions Serbia and Montenegro 67-66 to advance to the last eight and send their opponents crashing out of the men's basketball tournament.

Yao Ming scored 27 points as China progressed with unbeaten Spain, Argentina and Italy from Group A.

Meanwhile, the US team crushed Angola 89-53 to secure their place in Thursday's quarter-finals.

The defending champions go through from Group B with table-toppers Lithuania, Puerto Rico and hosts Greece.

With coach Larry Brown using his entire bench, the US were 20 points ahead at halfway, increasing the lead later.

"We felt more comfortable out there today because we are getting better as a team," said forward Carlos Boozer.

The US will now meet Spain in the last eight.

In China's victory, Yao, a centre for the Houston Rockets, sank two free throws with 28 seconds remaining to give China a 65-63 lead.

Du Feng then converted two free throws with 3.2 seconds remaining to seal the victory.

They now meet Lithuania who saw off Australia 100-85 in their Group B fixture.

Spain beat New Zealand 88-84 in Group A.

Hosts Greece completed the Group B programme with a 78-58 victory over Puerto Rico to finish second and book a tie with Argentina.

Michail Kakiouzis scored 16 points, including two of the three three-pointers in the second half and said: "The first phase is over and it had a big finish.

"We are getting better with every game and we are 100 per cent ready for Argentina and we would have been for anybody."



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