The Olympics have barely kicked off, and tensions already seem to be rising on the field! More specifically, on the basketball court as Australia and Spain kick off the tournament through their first Group A clash. As Australia was trailing their rivals by 11 points, Spanish forward Usman Garuba reportedly ended up committing an illegal screen. The same did not play well, and things soon turned physical.

Onlookers at the arena saw star player Josh Green, Josh sized up to Usman Garuba while players from both teams attempted to break them apart. As Josh Giddey approached as well, Garuba physically pushed the rivals away, drawing the whistle from the referee.

He continued to mock Giddey and Green by making alleged obscene expressions. The non-sportsmanship-like behavior resulted in them receiving unsportsmanlike fouls, which is an international version of a double technical.

The scuffle turned out to be the first of three that would take place even before halftime. Josh Giddey again reportedly ended up spewing words, only this time to small forward/shooting guard Rudy Fernandez. Two unsportsmanlike fouls, along with one additional technical, are not providing the expected start to the Olympics tournament in the ‘City of Love.’

The matchup between the Australian Boomers and Spain marks a rematch of the bronze medal game that took place during the 2016 Rio Olympics. By a narrow 89-88 score, Spain ended up securing the medal and eliminating the Boomers without anything. The same disappointment was also faced during the 2019 FIBA World Cup, as the Boomers faced a 95-88 loss.

Returning to the lineup from the 2016 team are Australian players Joe Ingles, Patty Mills, and Matthew Dellavedova. Whether they are looking to heal their old wounds or establish their presence during the tournament from the early stage, Australia’s competitiveness is certainly coming out.

“That is a really cool rivalry,” said Boomers’ center Jock Landale in a recent statement regarding Australia-Spain. “For us, there’s a little something extra going into that game.”

How have Josh Giddey and co faired during the first half?

Despite their earlier unsuccessful attempts to get the better of Spain, the Australian Boomers seem to possess an edge this time around. Much of the credit for the same goes to Josh Giddey, the newest addition to the Olympic roster.

Within the first half, the Boomers have taken a 49-42 lead. While Spain had scored three points more than their rival during the second quarter, it was still not enough to overcome the huge gap by which they were trailing initially. Josh Giddey let the offensive charge for the same, securing 15 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists to his name. The 21-year-old did not have much success with field throws (1-4), but he did drop 6-8 field goals, and 2-3 three-pointers to propel his individual score up. Giddey also received some assistance from Jock Landale, who ended up adding 10 points to the overall score.

Meanwhile, on the Spain side, Usman Garuba could only add 2 points within the period.

Josh Giddey entered the Olympics tournament in a vengeance mode, though the same was not especially to be directed only towards Spain. In a press conference earlier this month, the young star admitted that failure to reach the Quarter-Finals during the 2023 FIBA World Cup did not sit well with anyone from his roster. Therefore, what better way to make their mark/comeback than through the Olympics?

“We know we had a sour taste from the World Cup left in our mouths, for that to finish the way it did wasn’t good for any of us,” said Giddey. “So, we’re very happy to be able to go to Paris now with another chance to get up on that podium with a gold medal. It’s exciting. We’ve got a great group of guys.”

These “great group of guys” have maintained a lead against Spain. However, whether the same will remain continues to be seen.