How Australian coach Brian Goorjian inspired Boomers to break one of the longest running hoodoos in international basketball at Paris Olympics

A Josh Giddey-inspired Boomers outfit has made a strong start to their Paris Olympics campaign, defeating bogey team Spain 92-80 in Lille on Saturday night.

The Boomers had not beaten Spain at the Olympics since Seoul in 1988 and infamously lost the bronze medal match to the Spaniards at Rio in 2016 before finally earning their first medal at the Tokyo Games in 2021.

Veteran Patty Mills came up clutch in the dying seconds as Spain closed within six points, burying a three-pointer before Dyson Daniels added another triple to slam the gate shut.

It was a huge result for the Boomers in the pool of death that also includes medal hopefuls Canada and Greece.

And ESPN analyst Kane Pitman has revealed coach Brian Goorjian leveraged the history of heartbreak against Spain to inspire his charges to an important victory.

'Brian Goorjian just revealed that he showed the Boomers a video of all the past heartbreak against Spain pregame,' Pitman posted on X.

'Including postgame interviews with Patty and Joe. He reminded the team of that video during a fourth quarter timeout. The Boomers then closed out the game.'

Former NBA star and Boomer Andrew Bogut was full of praise for the resolve of the Australians who were bundled out in the pool stage at last year's FIBA World Cup.

'Good solid first win for Boomers. Spain make you earn it,' he posted.

'Jock Landale the MVP in this one. 20, 9 and 5 with a huge +30 when out there. Giddey also stuffed the stat sheet with a near triple double.

'Loved our defense throughout. Dyson picking up full court is a menace.

'The last 40 seconds was huge to run the score up and win by 12 if % comes into play,'

Giddey offered Chicago Bulls fans a brief preview of his potential in a more ball-dominant role, scoring 17 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and dishing out eight assists.

Although the 21-year-old committed five turnovers — an issue that has persisted in warm-up games — the Boomers are willing to accept it for now if it means he continues to play with such confidence.

The win also came with NBA point guard Dante Exum [dislocated finger] out and the Boomers opting not to bring in a replacement. Fans were also questioning why Portland Trail Blazers star Duop Reath was not used, asking if he was injured.

A new-look Spain don't have Pau Gasol or Ricky Rubio, who tormented Australia in legacy-defining wins at the 2016 Olympics and 2019 World Cup respectively.

But their Paris encounter showed the rivalry will live on in the next generation, with tempers flaring in what was essentially a must-win game in a pool also featuring medal hopes Canada and Greece.

Australia started brilliantly, with Dyson Daniels (13 points, seven rebounds) effective at both ends, Giddey hitting two long triples and selection bolter Jack McVeigh (13 points, seven boards) throwing a smooth no-look assist in a nerveless first touch.

They led 18-7 after another Giddey bucket then 38-17 when Spanish forward Usman Garuba was called for a moving screen on Josh Green.

Green clapped back while Will Magnay's light touch of the Spaniard's lower back set Garuba off, pushing Green and triggering a scuffle.

Magnay - picked to be the Boomers' enforcer - and Garuba were called for technical fouls and it lit the fuse for a spiteful final three quarters.

Officials battled to keep control of the contest and blew 24 fouls in the first half.

But Nick Kay was responsible enough to keep his cool after he was tunnelled by Willy Hernangomez and landed on his back.

The Spanish bench was then fouled for more remonstrating but it only served to even the contest as things got ugly.

Giddey's class still shone, the Olympic rookie driving to the rim and finishing as Australia scraped 18 second-quarter points to lead 49-42 at the break.

Santi Aldama (27 points) powered Spain's response, hitting a three after an ugly Patty Mills turnover to give them their first lead.

But Mills (19 points) fired right back with a triple, Australia's 8-0 run killing off Spain before Mills and Daniels iced the win with dagger three-pointers in the final seconds.

Exum dislocated his finger in a warm-up game earlier this week but the Boomers opted not to fly in a late replacement, confident he'll play a role later in the tournament.

He wore sneakers and a tracksuit on the bench, with Matthew Dellavedova getting an extended run while Duop Reath was not activated.

Australia next play Canada on Tuesday (2130 AEST) before completing pool action in Lille against Greece on Friday.