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USA's Candace Parker, right, is grabed from behind by Croatia's Jelena Ivezic, left, during the second half of a preliminary women's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 28, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Associated Press
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Brazil's Bruna right, heads the ball with New Zealand's Hannah Wilkinson during the women's group E soccer match between New Zealand and Brazil, at the Millennium stadium in Cardiff, Wales, at the 2012 London Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 28, 2012. (AP Associated Press
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Croatia's Iva Ciglar (10) is fouled by USA's Tina Charles (14) during the second half of a preliminary women's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 28, 2012, in London. USA's Seimone Augustus (5) is at left. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Associated Press
By Associated Press

LONDON — The U.S. women's basketball team looked nothing like the squad that is expected to dominant the Olympics.

Maybe it was first-game nerves or a hangover from the opening ceremonies. The U.S. had to overcome a sloppy performance Saturday before finally putting away Croatia 81-56 in the opener.

"We have five players who have never been in the Olympics before so they are going to be nervous. Everybody was a little nervous," coach Geno Auriemma said. "We're better than we showed, but I don't know that we're going to be great right off the bat."

The U.S., which got back to its hotel at 3 a.m. after the opening ceremonies, struggled for the first three quarters before winning its 34th consecutive Olympic contest.

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The U.S. only led 53-49 early in the fourth quarter.

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