USA: ATLANTA: US BASKETBALL DREAM TEAM WIN GOLD MEDAL

(4 Aug 1996) English/Nat America's Dream Team is keeping the dream alive for U-S basketball fans. The U-S men's olympic team took the gold medal in Atlanta, Saturday, defeating Yugoslavia 95-69. However it was a tough fight for the dream team - they trailed behind their opponents through most of the first half before they managed to top the scoreboard for Olympic gold. It was a relaxed and playful Dream Team Two that boarded the bus after their Olympic gold win in Saturday's men's basketball final. And their entourage of fans were appreciative, and somewhat relieved that this U-S team had repeated the performance of the original 1992 Dream Team. The team - made up of high-priced professional players - came away with a hard-fought victory over a determined Yugoslav squad. More than thirty-four thousand Olympic ticket holders poured into Atlanta's Georgia Dome for the final. The American squad enjoyed the heavy support of the home crowds. But this year's squad had a hard act to follow - the original Dream team, made of basketball legends like Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. SOUNDBITE: (English) "'92 I guess had probably the greatest group of basketball players ever assembled on one court. And some of them aren't here like Michael Jordon, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. But there's still a very strong talented group here and I think they're going to do just fine." SUPER CAPTION: Dream Team fan But some U-S fans are critical of the Dream Team and its dominance of the Olympic competition. SOUNDBITE: (English) "They proved their point in '92 and they proved it again in '94. I mean what kind of motivation is there out there for them. They can turn it on whenever they want to." SUPER CAPTION: Dream Team critic The outnumbered Yugoslav fans were also hopeful for a miracle in a game now played largely by professional players worldwide. SOUNDBITE: (English) "We just have hope. It's very hard to beat. But we said the ball is round. Who knows who is going to win." SUPER CAPTION: Yugoslav team fans To the very end, the competition on and off the basketball court was played with a unique American twist. But for now the U-S Dream Team fans are basking in the glory of Olympic Gold - and will no doubt continue to do so for a long time. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...