Aug. 29 -- Both teams entered the FIBA World Championship with heavy expectations. Only one will be able to live up to them.

Spain and Argentina, two supremely talented powerhouses who have yet to lose in the FIBA World Championship, meet Friday, Sept. 1 in the Semi-Finals. The winner advances to the gold medal game Sunday while the loser plays for bronze Saturday.

Ginobili knows the mission is a gold. Junko Kimura/Getty Images/NBAE

For Argentina, the silver medalist of the 2002 FIBA World Championship and gold medalist of the 2004 Summer Olympic Games, a third or fourth place finish would be considered a let down for the reigning world championships.

It appeared that Argentina was on track to disappoint judging by the way it played during its exhibition schedule this summer, which included a loss to Spain. But since the games began counting, Argentina has rolled, winning by an average of 23.9 points over seven contests. Argentina earned a trip to the semis on Tuesday with an 83-58 victory over Turkey. Andres Nocioni scored a game-high 21 points for Argentina.

Spain's success has been equally as impressive, as it has marched to a 7-0 record by an average win margin of 24.8 points. In 2004, the Spaniards looked well on their way to medal in the 2004 Olympics with an unblemished 5-0 record in the preliminary round. But the format of the competition had them meeting the United States (3-2) in the quarterfinals, and Spain lost the game, and any chance to finish better than seventh.

The circumstance left a bitter taste in the country's mouth, and Spain has played in Japan like it is taking out its anger on opponents. They've been the team everyone expected them to be and more. Spain reached the semifinals with a 89-67 win over Lithuania, paced by Pau Gasol's 25 points and nine rebounds and Juan Carlos Navarro's 22 points.

Despite the convincing win, Lithuania nor any opponent Spain has faced can compare to a team like Argentina, which is not the same squad that fell to Spain, 79-67, in friendly game in Madrid just earlier this month. The synchronization Argentina showcased in Athens has been on full display in Japan. Moreover, players who held small roles during the Olympics, such as Carlos Delfino and Walter Hermann, have gained confidence with the minutes and positive play they've achieved at the FIBA World Championship while also helping keep the legs of stars Manu Ginobili and Nocioni fresh.

Gasol and Spain have revenge on their mind. Junko Kimura/Getty Images/NBAE

But even with Argentina's strides, basketball remains a game of match-ups, and Ginobili admitted that Spain is not a team they match up favorably with.

"Some games, you have a good matchup against, some others you don't," he said. "I believed before the game that Turkey was a great matchup for us. But Spain is the opposite."

Certainly no match for Argentina is Gasol, averaging 21.6 points per game as the tournament's third-leading scorer, who Fabricio Oberto and Ruben Wolkowisky have the unfortunate responsibility of defending. Argentina could double-up on Gasol using either of its physical forwards -- Luis Scola or Nocioni -- to help their bigs, or let Gasol get his points, and focus on shutting down his teammates.

The outcome of the game will be significantly influenced by how Gasol's supporting cast such as Navarro and power forward Jorge Garbajosa responds. Spain's scoring exploits are largely fueled by its individual talents, and a bad game from a couple of top offensive options would be more frustrating for Spain than Argentina.

Both Navarro and Garbajosa have played in big games in club league play but have yet to prove themselves with the eyes of the world watching. This is their chance.

Argentina, which finds its success based on its teamwork, could become unbalanced if Spain's defensive feistiness gets in the way of its passing. Unlike their opponent, Spain doesn't mind taking risks playing the passing lanes, and if its off-the-ball defenders anticipate correctly and its on-the-ball defender prevent primary ball-handlers Pepe Sanchez and Pablo Prigioni from seeing the light of day, Spain may be able to prevent Argentina from finding its rhythm.

Whatever does happen Friday, one thing is certain: one team will be walk away with the feeling that it failed its mission. The other will be looking to complete it Sunday.