The Czech Republic on Monday took control of the court to thrash Mali 81-47 in its second game in a basketball group match of the Beijing Olympic Games on Monday.

"It was an easy game for us," Hana Machova, guard of the Czech team. "I think the third and fourth games (Spain and New Zealand) will be difficult."

"Everyone played and it was an easy game," her teammate Jana Vesela added.

The Czechs went on a 12-0 run in the first quarter and claimed 15 rebounds to take their 23-4 lead when Mali scored only one out of 16 field goals.

Mali rallied in the second quarter with a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to 15 points but the Czechs still proved themselves too strong for their opponents who couldn't get any nearer and trailed 38-22 at halftime.

The Czech Republic stretched the advantage to 56-33 by the end of the third quarter and led by 34 points to finish the game.

We have to work hard and do our best," said Djenebou Sissoko of Mali,who scored a game-high 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.

The Czech Republic, losing to the United States 97-57 in its opening game Saturday, will face Spain on Wednesday, when Mali, beaten by New Zealand 76-72, will meet the United States.

The Czechs, placing fifth at Athens 2004, won the title of the European Championships in 2005.

Mali won the FIBA African Championships title in Senegal in 2007, qualifying for its first ever Olympic Games.

(Xinhua News Agency August 11, 2008)