London 2012 Olympic Games: Basketball Finals at The O2

Prepare for multiple slam-dunks and downtowns during the Basketball finals at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Basketball at London 2012

Basketball first appeared in the Olympic Games in 1936, originally on an outside court made from sand. But now the London 2012 finals take place in the multi-million-pound venue that is The O2.

After making it through the preliminary rounds at the Basketball Arena, the finalists change venue in the search for Olympic gold.

The male and female teams of five players will battle it out to be crowned Olympic champions in games of four 10-minute quarters.

Basketball at the Olympic Games

The sport has been dominated by the United States, which is home to the world's most illustrious league, the American National Basketball Association (NBA). Russia has been the greatest threat to US basketball dominance over the years.

At the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, the United States continued their impressive record, winning male and female gold medals. Spain's men won silver, while Australia secured the silver in the women’s competition.