Host China fought off a strong challenge to edge past Spain 67-64 in their first group match of the Olympic women's basketball event on Saturday.

By this victory, the Chinese girls revenged their loss to the same rivals four years ago when they conceded by eight points at the Athens Olympics where China finished in a remote ninth place.

"It is a big win to beat Spain and the match is important to us as it is a high physical group. Spain is a better team, they ranked higher than us and play with lot of spirit," China's head coach Tom Maher said in the mixed zone.

"I know they will fight back, they used to beat us in the Athens Olympics but we handled the home pressure in a way we like. It is a tough big win."

China made a solid start to the match, jumping to 9-0 with four minutes into the game.

Inspired by two consecutive three-pointers from Elisa Aguilar Lopez, Spain had once levelled the match at 15-15. However, China's center Chen Nan, guard Miao Lijie and forward Sui Feifei came the points coming, extending the cushion to 32-19 and maintained the pressure against their rivals at 37-24, the biggest one in the match, upon the first half whistle.

But Spain, who beat China in four of their six previous matches, mounted a strong comeback in the second half and hit six of their nine three-pointers to cut the gap to within five points.

Leading 65-62 with only 23 seconds remaining, China's Bian Lan hit a free throw and a turnover from the Spanish team cost the Spaniards their last hope.

Bian led the Chinese team with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Captain Miao and Chen added 12 apiece. Chen also had 10 rebounds.

"It is just a start. We played our game and highly motivated. We did not feel the Olympic pressure and facing a stronger team, our team has nothing to lose," said the 29-year-old Sui, who had 9 for China.

Spanish forward Alba Torrens had 18 for her team and Montanana added 13.

China will take on the United States in their second group match on Monday, while Spain needs a win to boost confidence when they face New Zealand.

"There is big difference between us and the United States, they are among the best teams of the world, so we really feel relaxed ahead of the match. If we lose to the best team, it is definitely not the end of the world. Let's see what will happen," said Maher.

(Xinhua News Agency August 9, 2008)