BEIJING - "Girl power" again succeeded where Yao Ming's brute force has so far failed for China's men, the Olympic hosts beating New Zealand 80-63 in the women's basketball competition on Wednesday.

Aneka Kerr (C) and Charmian Purcell of New Zealand battle for a rebound with Shao Tingting of China during their Group B women's basketball game at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 13, 2008. [Agencies]

China took control early after a bizarre start when they raced to the wrong end of the court after losing the tip-off and gifted New Zealand a free lay-up, which they missed.

Former triathlete Chen Nan top-scored for the Chinese, the big centre scoring 26 points, while captain Miao Lijie added 15 in the team's second victory in Group B.

An expected win over Mali in their next game would secure China's place in the quarter-finals.

"I had terrible nervous problems before this game," China coach Tom Maher told Reuters. "But We took care of business so I'm happy about that.

"If we get a good (quarter-final) draw and could sneak in somehow and get an upset, well there's a medal and that would be great. It's not unrealistic."

Guard Song Xiaoyun typified China's tenacity in the fourth quarter, knocking over New Zealand forward Lisa Wallbutton on a driving lay-up and then scowling at her, NBA-style, as she struggled back to her feet.

"They know they can win," Australian Maher said of the Chinese players. "It's not as easy for me to judge the mentality in the locker room as it is in an Australian locker room.

"But we get one more win and we're 3-1 and that sounds pretty good at an Olympic Games doesn't it?"

European champions Russia were the first team to book a quarter-final spot with a 71-65 Group A victory over Belarus while Latvia squeezed past Brazil 79-78 for their first win.

Spain beat the Czech Republic 74-55 in Group B for their second win.