Rubio believes Spain can beat U.S. with 'perfect game'

Despite Spain being an underdog in Friday's semifinal against Team USA, Ricky Rubio is hopeful his side can get over the hump this year.

"It would mean the world," Rubio told The Associated Press. "I remember watching Argentina beat the U.S. in 2004, and I think maybe the same story that Argentina wrote with the 'Gold Generation,' we can write too."

After falling to the U.S. in the final in each of the past two Summer Games, the Spaniards are looking to capture their first gold, but Rubio says they'll have to be perfect.

"We've been battling against them for a long time. We've always come up short. It would be a dream for us to beat them. I really think we can do it, but we have to have the perfect game."

Rubio - who is averaging 6.2 points, three assists, and three rebounds in the Rio Olympics - will go up against his new Minnesota Timberwolves coach, Tom Thibodeau, who's an assistant with USA Basketball.