Olympic Daily Preview - Sunday, August 12th
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The U.S. men's basketball team will try for a second consecutive gold when it takes on Spain in a rematch of the 2008 title game on Sunday.
Starting when the Dream Team stormed to gold in 1992, the American team has won four of the last five Olympic titles.
The only exception in that stretch was 2004, when the U.S. managed only bronze. But it rebounded in Beijing, and has looked largely overpowering during the London Games. The U.S. beat Australia by 33 in the quarterfinals, then defeated Argentina by 26 in the semis.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Spain edged Russia in the semifinals to get another chance at gold.
The final athletics competition at the London Games, the men's marathon, sets off from The Mall on Sunday.
Kenya's team will be running in memory of Samuel Wanjiru, who won the event four years ago in Beijing, but died last year after falling from a balcony. It is a strong squad, featuring two-time world champion Abel Kirui; this year's London marathon winner, Wilson Kipsang; and 2011 London marathon winner Emmanuel Mutai.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Ethiopia's team features 20-year-old Ayele Abshero, who won this year in Dubai in his marathon debut.
The U.S. team includes Ryan Hall, 2004 marathon silver medalist Meb Keflezighi and Abdihakem Abdirahman.
Brazil aims for an Olympic sweep in volleyball on Sunday as its world No. 1 men's team takes on the world No. 2 Russia in the final.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Brazil's women's squad knocked off the U.S. on Saturday to claim its their second straight gold and the men will try to follow suit. The Brazilians were defeated in the 2008 Beijing Games final by the United States, while Russia took bronze for a second straight Olympics.
Bulgaria and Italy will square off in the bronze medal match on Sunday as well.
The final day of boxing features gold medal matches for five weight classes. Great Britain has already won titles with Nicola Adams, the first woman to win an Olympic boxing gold, as well as Luke Campbell. Sunday, welterweight Freddie Evans and super heavyweight Anthon Joshua will try to add to the British tally.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The men's mountain bike race wraps up cycling competition, and France's Julien Absalon will go for his third consecutive gold medal. Switzerland's Nino Schurter and Czech Jaroslav Kulhavy are among other contenders, while American Todd Wells and Canadian Geoff Kabush headline their respective country's teams.
After Russian Evgeniya Kanaeva became the first rhythmic gymnastics to win consecutive individual all-around her country, her native country will try to win its fourth gold medal in a row in the all-around team competition.
Russia notched the top qualifying score after two routines, the five balls and two hoops and three ribbons. However, a gold medal may not be guaranteed after Russia earned just silver in the 2009 and 2010 world championships as well as a bronze at the 2011 event. Italy won gold each time and finished second in qualifying.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Italy will have a chance at its first men's water polo gold medal in 20 years, while Croatia will try for its first gold in the event, when they play in Sunday's final. Montenegro and Serbia will play for bronze.
France will try to defend its Olympic title in men's handball when it takes on Sweden in the gold medal match. Hungary and Croatia play for bronze.
Additionally, women contest the modern pentathlon, while medals will be awarded in the men's 66kg and 96kg freestyle wrestling classes.