Olympics basketball: France-Spain feud overshadows quarter-finals

France coach Vincent Collet refused to condemn the actions of his players after tempers flared in their 66-59 quarter-final defeat by Spain.

Ronny Turiaf and Nicolas Batum made ugly challenges as France were outscored 15-6 in the final quarter.

The incidents overshadowed the other matches in the last four, with USA overpowering Australia 119-86 in the last game of the day.

Argentina beat Brazil 82-77 while Lithuania lost 74-83 against Russia.

Spain will now face Russia in the competition's last four on Friday, while Argentina will play the United States.

When asked about the challenges, France coach Collet replied: "Basketball is a physical game, we are not going to take any lessons from a Spanish journalist.

"I didn't commit the fouls. I didn't ask them to commit the fouls. I cannot answer for my players."

In the last minute of the Olympic encounter, Turiaf knocked Rudy Fernandez to the floor and Batum struck Juan Carlos Navarro with a painful blow to the midriff.

Spain coach Sergio Scariolo said both players were given treatment after the game and were doubtful for the semi-final against Russia on Friday.

"They are bad right now," he said.

"They will go through treatment for the rest of day. Right now it is difficult to say that somehow they will be able to play."