ISTANBUL (2010 FIBA World Championship) - Kevin Love and the United States are just 40 minutes away from accomplishing their mission.

They are oh so close to capturing a gold medal at the FIBA World Championship.

Saturday night's 89-74 triumph over Lithuania put Team USA into the Final of the FIBA World Championship for the first time since 1994, when the tournament was staged in Toronto.

The only side now standing in their way is Turkey, the host nation.

"It has been six weeks together now and it comes down to one final day," the 22-year-old Love said to FIBA.com.

"We are looking forward to it.

"It's going to be a very special night for us.

"With the host team it's going to be an unbelievable environment."

The gold-medal game will be played in a sold-out Sinan Erdem Arena.

If Saturday night's showdown between Turkey and Serbia is anything to go by, the atmosphere will be electric.

Serbia almost upset the Turks but a Kerem Tunceri lay-up just 0.5 seconds from the end, and a Semih Erden block of Novica Velickovic's potential game-winner at the death, secured the victory for the home side.

The crowd celebrated, and so did the players who grabbed a microphone at midcourt and sang with the fans before retreating to the locker room.

"It's going to be very hostile but we just feel that if we just execute our game plan and come together as one as we have done in the tournament, we are going to have a good shot," Love said.

"Hopefully we are going to get the job done but we are going to have our hands full."

The Americans have every reason to be confident.

No team has been able to stop USA forward Kevin Durant, who had 38 points against Lithuania.

The defense was also outstanding against the team from the Baltics.

"Kevin is our superstar," said Love, who has averaged 6.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.

"Derrick Rose is right there, too.

"We have leaders like Lamar Odom and Chauncey Billups but other than that, each and every person knows their place, they know their role in the team.

"I just feel the comraderie and chemistry of the team has been key.

"Us coming out and being together as one, whether it's the coaching staff all the way down to each of the 12 players.

"It has been tremendous. It has made it easier for us to bond off the court with none of us having egos.

"Everyone trusts one another."

In 2008 when Team USA won the gold medal at the Beijing Games, the players returned home to America feeling much better about themselves, their game and their country.

Love says he is going to benefit from this experience.

"The biggest thing I've learned is about chemistry, teamwork," he said.

"Hopefully I can take that into my team (Minnesota Timberwolves) in the States.

"Regardless of who Coach K (Mike Krzyzewski) puts into play, we can get a lot done."

To see Team USA's match-up with Turkey, as well as highlights and postgame reaction go to FIBATV,com.

FIBA