The men's basketball game would tip off at 2:15 p.m. local time the next day.
China Men's Basketball Team's first opponent was Brazil Team, with the game scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Brazil Team was playing at home, and as the host, their game time was also in prime time.
There was an eleven-hour time difference between China and Brazil. At 7:00 p.m. here, it would be 6:00 a.m. back home. Fans would not have to stay up late; they could still watch it by getting up early.
As the Opening Game, this match drew enormous attention from fans in both countries, and its popularity back home was unprecedented.
Setting aside the brawl during the previous Warm-up Game, Tang Tian had led China Men's Basketball Team to eliminate Brazil Team in a decisive battle four years ago. That alone was enough for Brazilian fans to hate them.
Of course, there were also the harsh words Barbosa had directed at Tang Tian.
"I'll defeat you in Rio."
That was what Barbosa had said to Tang Tian during the Handshake Ceremony after losing back then.
Now it was time for him to make good on those words.
Although Brazil Team's strength had declined somewhat, they were far from weak.
Nene and Varejao could still play. That interior lineup alone was a cut above most national teams.
On China Team's side, only Yi Jianlian could match up with them.
Besides Barbosa, their backcourt also had Hurtas and Neto, who had begun playing in the NBA last season.
Even on the wing, they still had the veteran Brazilia.
Their inside and outside players were all NBA-level. Brazil Team might have been old, but they were definitely not weak.
In fact, aside from Asian and African teams, no team that made it to the Olympics was