Manu Ginobili Predicts Argentina Victory in World

[TMTTRIO]

http://www.fiba.com/pages/en/news/la...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 le.

"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 Manu. Duh, the US has a more powerful team this time.