BEIJING (Olympics) - Brad Newley and Australia are celebrating a huge moment in the country's recent basketball history after a 95-80 triumph over Russia.

The Boomers crashed to heavy defeats in their first two games at the Olympics but after thrashing Iran, they upset the European champions on Saturday to virtually guarantee themselves a place in the quarter-finals.

Newley had nine points and four rebounds in 34 and a half minutes in the win over Russia.

He spoke immediately after to FIBA.Com

FIBA: Brad, it must feel as if you guys have gone from the outhouse to the penthouse.

Newley: It's not far. It's the typical Australian way, making it hard for us to play the way we did. I'm over the moon with how we played today.

FIBA: Australia beat the European champions. What was the difference in the mentality today?

Newley: Aussie heart - that's what it was. We really fought. Guys that have been quiet throughout the series really came out and played today. I'm very happy with this one and let's move to the next one (against Lithuania).

FIBA: What was the number one aim when your team was preparing for this game?

Newley: We wanted to disrupt, to really disrupt. The Europeans love their five-on-five and that is something we are not great at. What we are great at is putting pressure on the other team and that is what we did against Russia.

FIBA: In this game, David Andersen stepped up early with Andrew Bogut. Can you talk about their success inside and how that opened things up for you guys?

Newley: It was great. Them inside really created the lanes for myself to get to the hoop. I missed a few today but that just opens everything up. They are both world class. It was a great win for us.

FIBA: Brian Goorjian stood up for Andrew Bogut after the win against Iran. Today Andrew repaid that faith coming out strong.

Newley: I'm really happy with how he played today. It's great to see him play that way.

FIBA: You can never relax in these games at the Olympics, can you?

Newley: Definitely not. Viktor Khryapa (had team-high 21 points for Russia) can really bomb it. You can't leave him open for a second. You can be up 20 and all of a sudden it’s back to five. We really held on and played through it.

FIBA: Now you take on Lithuania. What has the win against Russia given this team mentally - perhaps that you can strive for greater things after beating the European champions?

Newley: That EuroBasket is an amazing thing. Croatia didn't even finish in the top four of the EuroBasket and yet they have wiped everyone with the exception of Argentina so far. Russia haven't been that great and they won the European Championship. It's an amazing thing how strong European basketball is.

FIBA: What is going to be the key against Lithuania?

Newley: I believe that if we play as we did today and they (Russia) pushed Lithuania to nine, I think we can match that.

FIBA