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.

With this victory, the Chinese girls revenged their loss to the same rivals four years ago in the Athens Games where they finished a remote ninth place.

China made a solid start to the match, jumping to 9-0 only 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 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 them their last hope.

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.

Bian led the Chinese team with 15 points. Captain Miao and Chen added 12 apiece. Sui had 9.

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

(Xinhua News Agency August 9, 2008)