(Text by Patricia Wen / Globe Staff)
BEIJING--On the day of the long-anticipated match-up between the U.S. Redeem Team and China, we went in search of a bar or restaurant where typical Beijingers would watch together on a big-screen T.V. We found such a placeat the Xiao Yu Mountain restaurant in central Beijing. The place, where scores of red lanterns hung from ceilings, seemed an ideal spot to test one thing we had heard from our sports department colleagues: Chinese fans like U.S. players.

Indeed, there were many fans -- mostly young men under 30 -- who named Americans as their most admired. There was a 22-year-old waiter, Huang Hui, who looks up to Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant because he plays "rough and wild." Zhang Rui, 28, likes LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers because he's "a funny guy." And Xu Dan, 26, aspires to be like Denver Nuggets guard Allen Iverson because he's "a short man" who works hard in a tall man's game.

For the most part, we found that patriotism took a back seat to personal passion. Still, many also named Yao Ming, the 7-foot, 6-inch center for the Houston Rockets, who has been given by China's rulers the status of a national hero, especially during the Olympics. And they wished that China would miraclously beat the U.S. (China did not, losing 101 to 70.)

At a time when China seeks to boost its patriotic image to the world, did those who liked the American players feel disloyal?

Tang Wei, 27, who likes Bryant, shook his head.

"One world, one dream," he said with a smile, repeating the slogan for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

A girl dances amongst the fountains near the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing. (Feng Li / Getty Images)

Before departing for Beijing, the Globe's John Powers said that, with a 12-hour time difference from Beijing to Boston, these Games could be remembered as the Tivo Olympics.

Alicia Sacramone competes in the floor exercise during day two of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in June (Nick Laham / Getty Images)

Before departing for Beijing, the Globe's John Powers previewed the USA Gymnastics squads (including Winchester's Alicia Sacramone for the women's team) and talked about the USA men's basketball team's quest as the "Redeem Team."

Dara Torres of the U.S. attends practice at the National Aquatics Centre. (Reuters)

Before departing for Beijing, the Globe's John Powers previewed the US Track & Field and Swimming teams, both of which are expected to bring home plenty of gold at the 2008 Games in Beijing.

Thomas Finchum practices at the National Aquatics Center ahead of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. (Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)

Before departing for Beijing, the Globe's John Powers talked about the US-China rivalry and detailed how the two countries should battle to stand at the top of the medal count at the Games. The US has topped the medal count every year since the Soviet Union broke up, but some have China favored in 2008.

Beijing residents hope that foreigners who are visiting for the Olympics also notice China's recent material gains.

Tibetan protesters during a silent peaceful protest in Kathmandu. Tibetans in Nepal were protesting against Chinese actions as the opening ceremonies for the 2008 Games in Beijing approach. (Reuters)

Before departing for Beijing, the Globe's John Powers continued our video countdown to the 2008 Olympic Games by talking about human rights and free speech in China. The big issue, he said, is whether China can stop being China long enough to have the Games?

China's National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, is seen through pollution in Beijing in late July. (AP Photo)

Before departing for Beijing, the Globe's John Powers kicked off our video countdown to the start of the Olympic Games by talking about air pollution in Beijing and how the quality of the air may affect the athletes competing at the 2008 Games.