BEIJING -- Every country, no doubt, would like to beat the Americans at their own game in basketball.

Starting with the 2012 Olympics, the international game will more closely resemble the pro game in the United States, and it's likely that more teams will get a crack at the Americans, according to plans outlined yesterday by the sport's world governing body.

First, though, Spain and Australia will get a chance to stall what has been a NASCAR-like run through these Olympics by both U.S. teams.

The American women today play Australia in the gold-medal game. The American men play Spain tomorrow for the championship.

Even before the U.S. beat Argentina, 101-81, in the second men's semifinal yesterday, Spain -- a 91-86 winner against Lithuania in the first semifinal -- was looking ahead to playing the U.S.. In a preliminary-round game, the U.S. won in a rout, 119-82.

"When we played the USA the last time, we did a terrible job," Spanish coach Aito Garcia said. "I don't know the odds [that we'll win, but] I am sure that the same thing won't happen again."

The Americans have been unstoppable, winning their six games by 37, 23, 31, 49, 21 and 20 points.

"We still have one more test to go, but I think our team is extremely confident," guard Chris Paul said. "We know how to play this game. If the ball's on the rim, we can knock it off. We know when to be physical and when not to.

"We feel like we have unfinished business, and this is what we came over here for."

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The unfinished business stems from a couple international results the past four years for the collection of NBA stars.

In the 2004 Olympics, the Americans lost to Argentina in the semifinals. In the 2006 World Championships, the Americans lost to Greece. They have avenged those losses here, and now in Spain face the squad that went on to win that 2006 championship.

When the men's and women's fields for 2012 are set, they could be larger. FIBA, the world governing body for basketball, is going to petition the International Olympic Committee to increase the number of teams in the tournament from 12 to 16.

"As a result of the success here, we think basketball deserves a field of 16 teams," FIBA secretary-general Patrick Baumann said. "Some countries that are missing have a huge TV audience."

In addition, starting in 2012, the court will take on the look that is familiar in North America, with a rectangular lane, longer 3-point range and a semicircle under the basket.

"If the rest of the world wants to compete with the USA, they must adapt to their rules," Baumann said.

Playing by the same rules doesn't mean being able to play with the Americans.

Against Argentina yesterday, the U.S. rushed to a 31-7 lead before Argentina closed to within 46-40 just before halftime.

"We had an amazing first quarter," Paul said. "The second quarter we were fouling too much. They slowed the game down by free throws, and that was our own fault."

Argentina was 10 for 10 in free throws in the second quarter

The Americans then did what they always do -- they zoomed.

Carmelo Anthony led the team with 21 points, including a 13-of-13 night in foul shots, which helped balance his 3-for-14 shooting from the field.

"I'm just trying to go in on the outside and I made my free throws, so that's good," Anthony said.

The American women, all WNBA players, will face a lot of WNBA teammates and opponents from Australia in the gold-medal game today.

The U.S. beat Australia in the final of the 2002 and 2004 Olympics but lost to the Aussies in the 2006 World Championships.

"They're the world champions. I expect them to play like that," U.S. guard Diana Taurasi said.

It's the rest of the world, though, that wants to play like the U.S.