Manu Ginobili Predicts Argentina Victory in World

[milkyway21]

ARG - Ginobili predicts Argentina victory

::WIN a trip to the FIBA World Championship Finals weekend :

MALAGA (FIBA World Championship) - Manu Ginobili has backed Argentina to win gold at the FIBA World Championship in Japan this year.

The San Antonio Spurs guard will be part of a star-studded Argentina squad when the tournament gets underway on August 19, and he is confident of success.

Having previously only mentioned Argentina alongside a number of other teams as possible winners, Ginobili has now said: "If I have to predict, we'll be champions."

Argentina have been drawn in Group A alongside France, Venezuela, Nigeria, Lebanon and reigning champions Serbia & Montenegro, who beat them in the final four years ago in Indianapolis.

Ginobili is expecting a tough tournament, but one in which Argentina can win.

"In a World Championship, you have to be well and ready for every match.

"The United States, Spain and Lithuania have very good teams, but we're very confident in our squad.

Ginobili is in Malaga to take part in the Costa del Sol basketball event and will stay there until Saturday.


PA Sport

-------------------
It's nice to hear again from Manu.

[The Genius]

Oh my. Where can I go to find the line-ups?

[Budkin]

Can't wait to see Bowen on Manu! :elephant

[milkyway21]

Manu predicting when the U.S. team try-outs has not started yet.:D

what if Bruce will be there Manu? he he

[milkyway21]

Oh my. Where can I go to find the line-ups?why Chauncy bailed out? is he injured or something?

[Winnipeg_Spur]

Can't wait to see Bowen on Manu! :elephant
That's what I want to see. :)

Anyone know if/where this is going to be on TV?

[Quadzilla99]

They won the Olympic Gold I don't know why they wouldn't expect to win it as well.

[velik_m]

Argentina should keep an eye on France, they have a very good team.

[Mavs_man_41]

After the U.S. got embarassed in 02, they are not going to let it happen again. They seem to be taking it all much more seriously this go round and i would expect them to roll to an easy victory.

[velik_m]

After the U.S. got embarassed in 02, they are not going to let it happen again. They seem to be taking it all much more seriously this go round and i would expect them to roll to an easy victory.

That's what people said before 2004 olympics.

[angel_luv]

Aww, I miss Gino.

His team is very good. I think they have as good of chance to win as anybody.

I am assuming their current team has more returning players than the U.S.A. team. That could prove to be a chemistry advantage.

[smeagol]

Manu, Chapu, Oberto, Scola, Walter . . . C'mon guys, let's kick ass!

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

In World Championships,

Bowen's defense>>>Manu's offense

[orhe]

if the team isn't good enough defensively im predicting an argentina victory too...

manu's a beast in international competition + he has the ball most of the time... if bruce can't defend manu US vs Arg will be very interesting

[Mavs_man_41]

What happened to the good ol days where the dream team blew everyone out by 20+ ?

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

What happened to the good ol days where the dream team blew everyone out by 20+ ?
That's when people didn't turn down the olympics unlike SOME people(TD, KG, Bibby, TMAC, Nets Big 3 , Billups, Redd, J.O'Neal, Artest, Marbury, and people who didnt get invited, AI!).

[spurschick]

In World Championships, Bowen's defense>>>Manu's offense

In the game of basketball, Bowen's defense>>>>>everybody else.

I expect Bruce and Manu to play hard against eachother, but DON'T GET INJURED!!!!!

[TMTTRIO]

I'm a little surprised that Manu would come right out and say it. I guess with the way his season ended, he's ready to get back out on court and kick some ass (hopefully not against US). I wish him the best as long as it's not against us.

[Cherry]

I saw the video of this interview. Manu said: Spain, France, EEUU, Lituania are favorites too.

[J.T.]

I don't know, they're trying to turn around USA Basketball. I'm pulling for the US but if Argentina wins, that's good for Manu and Oberto.

[boutons_]

It's U.S. Against the World

Squad Is Being Built With Emphasis on Team Play, Defense

By Ivan Carter
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, July 16, 2006; E01

Gilbert Arenas held the sheet of paper in front of him and beamed like a grade-schooler who had just received a stellar report card. The document, delivered to the Washington Wizards' all-star guard in late February, was an invitation to try out for the U.S. men's national basketball team.

"It was one of the best moments of my basketball career, right up there with playing in my first NBA game and making my first all-star team," Arenas said. "It was an honor."

That type of reaction from one of the game's young stars was exactly what Jerry Colangelo, managing director of USA Basketball, had in mind when he set out to overhaul the men's national program last summer.

With the embarrassment of poor finishes in the 2002 world championships (sixth place) and the 2004 Olympics (third) providing motivation, Colangelo's first priority was identifying talented players who did not have to be begged to play for their country.

Colangelo made no promises and demanded a three-year commitment. He found eager candidates in Arenas and fellow Wizard Antawn Jamison, who will join 23 other players when the national team opens a two-week training camp in Las Vegas on Wednesday. The team will compete in the world championships later this summer and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"That was the most important thing," Colangelo said in a conference call. "Previously, I would say that the tail was wagging the dog and you had to pull guys to get them to participate. Early in this process, it became obvious that we had players who shared a vision of what it means to represent their country, they understood what an honor it is. Players talk among themselves and once I spoke with a few guys and they expressed their excitement over playing, this thing turned totally around. Gilbert certainly expressed in this first meeting, and in subsequent conversations, just how much he wanted to be on this team."

The team will be trimmed to between 12 and 15 players on July 25 and that group will continue to practice before facing Puerto Rico in an exhibition game on Aug. 3.

The team will then head to Asia and play a series of games in preparation for the world championships, which take place Aug. 19 to Sept. 3 in Japan. Players who aren't selected to participate in the world championships will still be on the national team roster and will be eligible to play in the 2008 Olympics.

"We're building an entire program not just a single team for one competition," Colangelo emphasized. "This is a three-year deal."

Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski was named coach of the national team in October and will remain in that position through the 2008 Beijing Olympics. His task will be to sort through a roster that includes Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Elton Brand and come up with a team capable of competing against international teams that have steadily gained ground in a sport that was once dominated by the United States.

Krzyzewski's job became more difficult this past week with the loss of four players, most notably Bryant, who likely will miss the world championships after having minor surgery on his right knee yesterday. The U.S. team had already lost J.J. Redick (back injury), Lamar Odom (personal reasons) and Paul Pierce (expected to have elbow surgery in August).

Recovery from a procedure such as Bryant's usually takes eight to 12 weeks. The U.S. team will have to submit a roster of 12 names before worlds begin, and that roster cannot be altered.

In selecting the pool of 25 players, Colangelo and Krzyzewski placed an emphasis on skill, attitude and versatility while making room for role players such as Bruce Bowen, Shane Battier and Brad Miller. The roster has pure point guards such as Chris Paul and Kirk Hinrich, pure shooters such as Arenas and Michael Redd and versatile inside-outside forwards who should flourish in the international game such as Jamison, Brand and Chris Bosh.

If recent national teams were built with the idea of creating buzz and selling jerseys, this one seemingly is being constructed with only one thing in mind: winning.

"We said from the get-go that we are not picking an all-star team, we are picking a basketball team," Colangelo said.

The 2004 Olympic team was stocked with scorers such as James, Wade and Allen Iverson but never created chemistry during a brief training camp, struggled to make shots against packed-in zone defenses and was picked apart on defense by international opponents who typically emphasize ball movement and cohesiveness rather than one-on-one skills and isolation plays.

That team lost to Puerto Rico, Lithuania and Argentina and often looked bad in the process -- especially on defense. Opponents like Puerto Rico's Carlos Arroyo and Argentina's Manu Ginobili regularly broke the defense down with dribble penetration before kicking the ball out to wide-open shooters.

"Our focus has to be on team defense," Krzyzewski said in a conference call. "We have to be able to stop the ball and have defense turn into offense. I know there has been a big thing about how we were unable to attack the zone, but one of the reasons you have a problem attacking a zone is that you don't get any other easy baskets, with fast breaks and offensive putbacks. Everything is going to start with our defense and we're going to get that mind-set going in our first practice."

Jamison, who nearly played for Krzyzewski at Duke before opting to attend rival North Carolina, dispelled any notions that a college coach such as Krzyzewski will have a difficult time managing NBA egos.

"I've got so much respect for him," Jamison said. "Next to Coach [Dean] Smith, I think he's one of the best college basketball coaches ever. I have nothing but the utmost respect for him and I think it's going to be fun. For us, it's about putting USA Basketball back on the map and it's about winning."

Unlike recent national teams, nobody appears to be worried about the absence of several high-profile players. Perennial all-stars such as Kevin Garnett, Jason Kidd and Ray Allen turned down invitations while Iverson, the captain of the 2004 Olympic team, wasn't invited.

What's left is a group of excited, motivated players who say they are hungry to erase the shame of recent international failures.

"I know that some people don't want to give up their summers to play basketball, it's the offseason, but you're not playing for your team, you're playing for your country," Arenas said. "It's a great feeling and you should be proud to wear that USA on your jersey just like you're proud to wear your own name on your jersey."

© 2006 The Washington Post Company

[velik_m]

i hope brad miller gets in.

[angel_luv]

Perennial all-stars such as Kevin Garnett, Jason Kidd and Ray Allen turned down invitations



Iverson, the captain of the 2004 Olympic team, wasn't invited.


I'm just curious... anyone know the reasons behind those? Injuries?

[upTD]

Manu, Chapu, Oberto, Scola, Walter . . . C'mon guys, let's kick ass!

big OT �Cbig MOUTH

[Obstructed_View]

I just hope the officials are better for this one.

[ducks]

I hope scola gets embarrased against the usa

[GrandeDavid]

ARG - Ginobili predicts Argentina victory

::WIN a trip to the FIBA World Championship Finals weekend :

MALAGA (FIBA World Championship) - Manu Ginobili has backed Argentina to win gold at the FIBA World Championship in Japan this year.

The San Antonio Spurs guard will be part of a star-studded Argentina squad when the tournament gets underway on August 19, and he is confident of success.

Having previously only mentioned Argentina alongside a number of other teams as possible winners, Ginobili has now said: "If I have to predict, we'll be champions."

Argentina have been drawn in Group A alongside France, Venezuela, Nigeria, Lebanon and reigning champions Serbia & Montenegro, who beat them in the final four years ago in Indianapolis.

Ginobili is expecting a tough tournament, but one in which Argentina can win.

"In a World Championship, you have to be well and ready for every match.

"The United States, Spain and Lithuania have very good teams, but we're very confident in our squad.

Ginobili is in Malaga to take part in the Costa del Sol basketball event and will stay there until Saturday.


PA Sport

-------------------
It's nice to hear again from Manu.

I just hope Manu can predict a Spurs championship next season with the same confidence and boldness. After Game 7 late goofs, he owes it to us. Go Manu!

[GrandeDavid]

I know that the U.S. plays Brazil in China in a tune up game in early August. That should be rather fly for me to watch. Word.

[GoSpurs21]

so I guess we can expect Manu to be tired when the playoffs start next season...that's just fucking great

[waly.mg]

Probably the best choice may be Bowen on Nocioni, because he´s more scorer than Manu

With Bowen on Manu. Manu probably finished with 15 points and Nocioni with 20
With Bowen on Nocioni, Probably Manu 20 and Nocioni 10

[Trainwreck2100]

Will the refs help them like in the Olympics, if so then yes

[Cherry]

FIBA game = FIBA refs :angel

[Trainwreck2100]

FIBA game = FIBA refs :angel


So then yes, the refs will help the Argies win just like last time

[SequNets]

I predict Manu will foul somebody with 3 seconds on the clock and lose the damn game.

[Trainwreck2100]

damn choker, he probably will foul somebody, but because the refs will be on Argies side like the olympics it won't be called

[ducks]

I predict the sequ is going to go nuts when spurs keep mertzer and sign ian
because they are from overseas

[Beer is Good]

Why can't our players just take a damn offseason off and concentrate on the next NBA season? I understand playing in the Olympics, but fuck this World Championship stuff! Manu, Bruce, TP - REST UP FOR NEXT SEASON! I guess that's the price you pay when you get international talent. Fuck the WC. We want NBA gold again.1`

[10-tka]

World champion Argentina. Ha ha the best joke ever :spin

Slovenian guys will be on top of the world! and i mean it.

[Solid D]

This is the roster per Eurobasket

Argentinean National Team Roster for FIBA World Championship

Daniel Farabello (193-G-73) of Whirlpool Varese (ITA)
Pablo Prigioni (186-G-77) of Tau Ceramica Vitoria (ESP)
Pepe Sanchez (193-G-77) of Unicaja Malaga (ESP)
Carlos Delfino (199-G-82) of Detroit Pistons (USA)
Emanuel Ginobili (198-G-77) of San Antonio Spurs (USA)
Andres Nocioni (199-F-79) of Chicago Bulls (USA)
Walter Herrmann (207-F-79) of Unicaja Malaga (ESP)
Leonardo Gutierrez (200-F-78) of Boca Juniors Capital Feder (200-F-78) of Ben Hur Rafaela
Luis Scola (206-F/C-80) of Tau Ceramica Vitoria (ESP)
Gabriel Fernandez (204-C-76) of Whirlpool Varese (ITA)
Fabricio Oberto (207-C-75) of San Antonio Spurs (USA)
Ruben Wolkowyski (207-C-73) of BC Khimky Moscow (RUS)

Head Coach: Sergio Hernandez

[1Parker1]

Damn, I was excited to see Lebron, Kobe, and D Wade on the floor together!

By the way, does anyone know if these games will be broadcasted on TV? And if so, what station?

[Mavs_man_41]

Damn, I was excited to see Lebron, Kobe, and D Wade on the floor together!

By the way, does anyone know if these games will be broadcasted on TV? And if so, what station?

They used to come on espn, but im not sure about this year.

[nkdlunch]

Argentina will have hard time getting 2nd place this time. US will get 1st, but there are other good teams that can get 2nd, like Brazil, Lithuania

Manu is just trying to give his teamates confidence even though they have almost no chance to win it all this time.

[Gino20]

I hope USA will get first......However, Kobe is a huge loss for us on both ends of the court. Its not gonna be as easy as you think. Thats exactly why we got are butts kicked a couple of years ago. Dont over look international talent. Nash, Duncan, Parker, Ginobili, Nocioni. Need I say more?

[Solid D]

I don't know why the USA should be confident, except that they may have a defensive specialist to defend the best perimeter player in Bruce.

USA hasn't won a major (over 18) FIBA-type event in years.

[1Parker1]

I don't know why the USA should be confident.

:lol They're confident because they have Lebron James and Dwayne Wade on the same team.

[Solid D]

:lol They're confident because they have Lebron James and Dwayne Wade on the same team.

Maybe Mike K. will prepare and manage the talent better than Larry Brown, Pop and company did in the Olympics. Or better than George Karl or some of the others did in other FIBA tournaments.

[Trainwreck2100]

:lol They're confident because they have Lebron James and Dwayne Wade on the same team.


Slashers suck in international ball, it's about shooters, why do you think FIBA only took out Duncan at the olympics last year, really international ball is the pussification of the sport.

[Mavs_man_41]

Slashers suck in international ball, it's about shooters, why do you think FIBA only took out Duncan at the olympics last year, really international ball is the pussification of the sport.

Slashing doesn't suck in international ball, you just have to have a few shooters in case they try to go zone and clog the lane like in 02' and 04'.

[Cherry]

So then yes, the refs will help the Argies win just like last time

FIBA game = FIBA refs = FIBA rules

Man, Argentina won the gold wiht hard team work.
Players always think that the referees are working against them. Remember the final in Indianapolis 2002...


...help?:rolleyes

[Trainwreck2100]

FIBA game = FIBA refs = FIBA rules

Man, Argentina won the gold wiht hard team work.



Yes, and the team consisted of Manu, Scola, oberto, nocioni, ref 1, and ref 2 etc....

[Cherry]

Yes, and the team consisted of Manu, Scola, oberto, nocioni, ref 1, and ref 2 etc....

Conclusion= The refs are crap when we lose. :lol

[nkdlunch]

Yes, and the team consisted of Manu, Scola, oberto, nocioni, ref 1, and ref 2 etc....


:lol Refs help Argentina beat team USA???

FIBA would rather have 3rd world country in the final rather than team USA which would give them more $$$. that makes a lot of sense.... NOT

[Trainwreck2100]

Conclusion= The refs are crap when we lose. :lol

no, refs=helped out argentina by fouling out Tim Duncan, you don't believe me, go look at the video, he was getting manhandled on the offensive side, but he coudn;t breathe on anybody.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

After the U.S. got embarassed in 02, they are not going to let it happen again. They seem to be taking it all much more seriously this go round and i would expect them to roll to an easy victory.

With the talent out there, and under international rules, I don't see the USA rolling to an easy title again in the forseeable future.

[Trainwreck2100]

Also I need to add that this is classless by Manu, I don't remember any of the US players guaranteeing victory when they rolled through the international teams, they're given one gold medal and he thinks they are some sort of basketball gods. I hope Bruce does us all a favor and undercuts him like he did in practice

[smeagol]

I predict the US does not win and some of the resident morons in this board blame it on the refs.

[Gino20]

Also I need to add that this is classless by Manu, I don't remember any of the US players guaranteeing victory when they rolled through the international teams, they're given one gold medal and he thinks they are some sort of basketball gods. I hope Bruce does us all a favor and undercuts him like he did in practice

In my opinion, he said the right thing. What do you want him to say? No, we are gonna lose it all! He is just installing confidence in the team and getting the players hyped. He said the right thing! To be the team, you gotta beat the team. As far as I am concerned, till they get beat, they have the right to say what they want. They earned that.

[furry_spurry]

As for Argentina, of course they should be the favorite. They would have won in 2002 if Manu was not injured- and even then they only lost on controversial officiating against Serbia & Montenegro. They won the Olympics- after which- Pop told all the world that bringing in Scola would be the Spurs priority the next off-season (2005). Flash forward 2 years later and he still isn't here. People would not have clamored so for Scola if Pop had never said that. What I wonder is this- if Argentina wins and Scola has a great tournament- how will people feel about the Spurs FO then? What will the basketball experts say about why Scola is still in Europe and not in the NBA- when guys like Garbajosa and Parker got 3/$11-12M but the Spurs thought Scola was not worth 3/$9-10M.

As for Bowen, I think team defense is more important than indiviudal defense in these international events. Plus, Manu is "the stud" of these events. His reputation far surpasses Bruce's on the FIBA scene. Bruce will still be adjusting to the different rules, ...

[spur219]

Sorry Manu have to disagree with you on this one. Everyone knows that if the USA team from that competed the summer before in the championships would of competed the US would of gotten the easy gold.

[spurschick]

Also I need to add that this is classless by Manu, I don't remember any of the US players guaranteeing victory when they rolled through the international teams, they're given one gold medal and he thinks they are some sort of basketball gods. I hope Bruce does us all a favor and undercuts him like he did in practice

Where did he say he "guarantees" anything? He said, "If I have to predict...". What's he supposed to say? "I don't expect us to win"? Plus, you have no idea in what context he said this. The reporter may have asked Manu to make a prediction, he simply responded.

As for classless, you hoping that Bruce resorts to cheap shots shows not much class on your part.

[mabber]

Why can't our players just take a damn offseason off and concentrate on the next NBA season? I understand playing in the Olympics, but fuck this World Championship stuff! Manu, Bruce, TP - REST UP FOR NEXT SEASON! I guess that's the price you pay when you get international talent. Fuck the WC. We want NBA gold again.1`

Hard to blame them for wanting to play for their country. I believe Dirk is playing for Germany. I'd rather him not, but what are you gonna do? At least Josh Howard is not playing for USA (turned down offer cuz it conflicted with his own summer camp for kids).

[mabber]

Maybe Mike K. will prepare and manage the talent better than Larry Brown, Pop and company did in the Olympics. Or better than George Karl or some of the others did in other FIBA tournaments.

I think the US team will be better prepared to win because of their change in philosophy (not coaches...Brown, Pop and company can certainly coach!). They're building a better "team" this time instead of just throwing all the available stars together.

[diego]

US has a better approach this time but its not like this team has practiced a lot, they are only just starting and they already have several losses on their roster, not considering those who declined initially.

Argentina has lost some depth to age, with no foreseeable replacements unless someone unexpectedly steps up (prigioni, delfino). Whats worse is that we lost our (really good) coach, and replaced him with a young guy.

As long as Manu, Nocioni, Scola, and Hermann show up, we should be able to beat anybody, especially since I dont see any dominant big on the US roster to worry about.

[nkdlunch]

Also I need to add that this is classless by Manu, I don't remember any of the US players guaranteeing victory when they rolled through the international teams, they're given one gold medal and he thinks they are some sort of basketball gods. I hope Bruce does us all a favor and undercuts him like he did in practice


prediction is the key word genius

[Mavs_man_41]

I dont know about u guys, but i think its time for the U.S. to take back the glory. The U.S. is too talented to be losing in the olympics. Half those guys on the Argentina national team only dream of being in the nba. Only Manu is actually a star in the NBA. The U.S. team conisists of only NBA stars, we have way more talent. I would like to see the players take it seriously this year, and the team be dedicated to playing defense. Also, we need more shooters so that other teams can't just clog the lane with a zone and stop penetration. If we do everything right we should definately win the gold.

[mabber]

I dont know about u guys, but i think its time for the U.S. to take back the glory. The U.S. is too talented to be losing in the olympics. Half those guys on the Argentina national team only dream of being in the nba. Only Manu is actually a star in the NBA. The U.S. team conisists of only NBA stars, we have way more talent. I would like to see the players take it seriously this year, and the team be dedicated to playing defense. Also, we need more shooters so that other teams can't just clog the lane with a zone and stop penetration. If we do everything right we should definately win the gold.

Yeah, it would be nice but it's not like the teams from other countries don't know that we could spank them every time if it really mattered to us. The talent gap is narrowing but we're still way ahead of the rest of the world in hoops. Just like most of the rest of the world is ahead of the US in soccer (even though the gap is narrowing).

[Obstructed_View]

Did a Spurs fan just post that he hopes a Spurs player tries to hurt another Spurs player in an international competition? And all for being a confident leader of his team?

[TMTTRIO]

By the way, since Manu's almost won everything (other than WC) do ya'll think this will be his last international competition?

[tlongII]

I wonder if Manu will try to block any shots in the waning seconds of regulation?

[Mavs_man_41]

I wonder if Manu will try to block any shots in the waning seconds of regulation?

Maybe against Germany....

[diego]

Argentina final roster:

Pepe Sánchez, Pablo Prigioni, Daniel Farabello, Emanuel Ginóbili, Carlos Delfino, Andrés Nocioni, Walter Herrmann, Fabricio Oberto, Luis Scola, Rubén Wolkowyski, Gabriel Fernández, Leonardo Gutiérrez, Hernán Jasen, Juan Gutiérrez y Paolo Quinteros.

[danyel]

Argentina final roster:

Pepe Sánchez, Pablo Prigioni, Daniel Farabello, Emanuel Ginóbili, Carlos Delfino, Andrés Nocioni, Walter Herrmann, Fabricio Oberto, Luis Scola, Rubén Wolkowyski, Gabriel Fernández, Leonardo Gutiérrez, Hernán Jasen, Juan Gutiérrez y Paolo Quinteros.

Thats 15 players. Argentina final roster will consist of 12 players out of those 15.

[SuperManu!!!]

Scola will kick ass! HE will show he is nba material

[milkyway21]

whoa Kobe begged off too:cry

Argentina's chances is getting brighter everyday!

But I'd still root for team U.S.A.

[smeagol]

Yes, and the team consisted of Manu, Scola, oberto, nocioni, ref 1, and ref 2 etc....
:madrun :blah :blah :cry :cry

[TMTTRIO]

http://www.fiba.com/pages/en/news/latest_news_article.asp?r_act_news=13930

19/07/2006
ARG - Ginobili delighted to be back

BUENOS AIRES (FIBA World Championship) - Emanuel Ginobili has expressed his delight at his return to the Argentina squad.

The San Antonio Spurs guard has earned a recall for next month's FIBA World Championship in Japan after a two-year absence.

He last played in the 2004 Athens Olympics, helping his country to the gold medal, and told Argentinian newspaper Ole: "I've missed the national team.

"I needed to take a rest. Before Athens I was tired, and now, I want to return. I was missing being with the guys."

Ginobili was one of the 15 players named in coach Sergio Hernandez's preliminary squad who meet up on Sunday in Mar del Plate.

Japan 2006 will be Ginobili's third World Championship, having been part of the squad in Greece 1998 and the main guard in Indianapolis 2002.

He believes his team have what it takes to be successful in the tournament but admitted: "We have to keep the unit, group balance and sense of altruism.

"If we can repeat that, we'll be fine, but I don't think there will be any problem because we know each other very well.

"Today, I can say that to be on the podium would be a great result, but when you are there, you want the title.

"The United States are still the best," he added. "We're not the only favourites. There are a lot of high-level national teams.
"It's not the case that we can simply turn up and be champions. There are a lot of factors in play.

"It's true we have several players in better form even than in 2004, but it doesn't mean that the team will play better. We win as a team.

"The only new part is the coach and I don't see any problems with this. When I was asked about the succession I said that, whoever the successor was, he would be respected and the style would be kept. That will happen with Sergio."

Argentina have been drawn in Group A, alongside reigning champions Serbia & Montenegro, France, Venezuela, Nigeria and Lebanon.

[Sportman]

[B]"The United States are still the best," he added. "We're not the only favourites. There are a lot of high-level national teams.
"It's not the case that we can simply turn up and be champions. There are a lot of factors in play.

Humble human being, that makes manu different from other nba players.

[angel_luv]

Go Gino. :)

[cheguevara]

no shit Manu. Duh, the US has a more powerful team this time.