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A dark day for US basketball.
Olympics 2004
Argentina wins men basketball Gold Medal
By Olympic.com
Aug 28, 2004, 18:45
ATHENS, 28 August - After one of the most memorable tournaments ever played, Olympic Men's Basketball has a new king from a new continent: Argentina.
Despite the loss of a key starter to injury, Argentina left no doubt about the name of the best team in the world as it eased to a 84-69 victory over Italy in the gold medal game on Saturday night at Olympic Indoor Hall.
Gold was the first medal of any kind for Argentina, whose previous best finish was fourth at Helsinki 1952. The only previous Men's Basketball golds were won by United States, Soviet Union and Yugoslavia.
Italy was left with its second silver medal, after Moscow 1980. The USA defeated Lithuania earlier to take bronze.
Argentina played without starting big man Fabricio OBERTO, who broke his hand late in the team's semifinal victory over the United States. Luis SCOLA took his place, leading Argentina with 25 points and 11 rebounds, while making 10 of 13 two-point shots and all five of his free throws.
Alejandro MONTECCHIA scored 11 of his 17 points in the final quarter, including three huge three-pointers, to prevent any comeback by Italy. Emanuel GINOBILI, who had his own injury scare before halftime, scored 16 more and Ruben WOLKOWYSKI 13 for the winners.
Italy was as close as 61-59 early in the final quarter, but failed to score more than a free throw for a full five minutes while Argentina opened a 13 point lead.
Matteo SORAGNA and Gianmarco POZZECCO scored 12 points each for Italy and Rodolfo ROMBALDONI 10 points.
Argentina tried to outrun Italy's accomplished defence from the start of the game, and succeeded in posting a 7-2 lead. Italy turned to three-pointers, with Alex RIGHETTI and BASILE drilling one each, but even when they fell through, Argentina's strategy was clear: race down the floor and shoot before the Italian defence can set up.
Italy was within 9-8 when SCOLA started taking most of those shots. His first to fall made it 11-8 with 4:01 left in the quarter. Before it was done, he had 10 points total and, despite another BASILE triple, Argentina had a decent lead to protect, 23-16.
Argentina expanded on its lead steadily in the early second quarter until GINOBILI scored five points, including an acrobatic twisting layup, in a quick 7-0 run that made the score 34-22. Italy got a couple of three-pointers from SORAGNA and Giacomo GALANDA to stay within 43-35.
Then Argentina missed a few shots, allowing Italy to get six straight points as ROMBALDONI and Luca GARRI drove to the basket. GINOBILI, who had been sitting the previous six minutes, returned for the final play of the quarter, but fell on his way to the basket and remained out of bounds, clutching his knee as the half ended with his team clinging to a 43-41 advantage.
GINOBILI started the third quarter and soon fed WOLKOWYSKI inside for a 47-43 Argentina lead. ROMBALDONI kept his team close with five points until SORAGNA got a new lead for Italy at the foul line, 48-47.
SCOLA went back to work with two baskets, putting Argentina back ahead, but SORAGNA and then BASILE struck from downtown with back-to-back three-pointers for a new 54-51 Italy lead.
SCOLA was unstoppable, however, dropping a short jumper, then finishing a fastbreak with a layup-plus-free throw. When Andres NOCIONI hit a one-hander in the lane, Argentina had back the lead at 58-54. Three tense, scoreless minutes ensued before MONTECCHIA scored a layup with time running out to boost Argentina's edge to 60-54 after 30 minutes.
Massimo BULLERI came in and gave Italy a lift at the start of the final quarter, with a triple and spin move for a layup that drew his team within 61-59. It would be a long time before Italy saw another basket, however.
In the meantime, MONTECCHIA rained two perfect triples in a 12-0 run that put the game away. The Italian defence that had ruled other opponents in key moments had no answer to the Argentines' combination of ball movement and accuracy.
The lead was now 73-60, and even some late shots by Italy could not slow Argentina's march to destiny. The Olympic Games gold medals in Men's Basketball were going to South America for the first time.
Comments on the Game
Emanuel GINOBILI, guard (ARG)
On the gold medal:
"It's an amazing feeling. Dancing, celebrating in the court and hear the fans cheering on you. It's unbelievable. After 52 years without a gold medal in team sports for Argentina, we made it twice (football and basketball) in a day. It's difficult to describe and express my feelings. I want to cry and at the same time to laugh. I can't wait go back in Argentina and see the joy in the face of our people."
On representing his country in the Olympics:
"It's something different. You can't compare it with anything. You don't play for money, you only play for the pride of your country and this is a very unique feeling, especially when you participate in the biggest sport event, the Olympic Games."
Luis SCOLA, center (ARG)
On their sucess:
"It's my happiest day of my life. My biggest dream came true. I participate in the Olympic Games and I won the gold medal. From my childhood, I was waiting for this moment. I never forget the moments we lived here in Athens. I thank God I was here. We played a great tournament, we won the gold medal and we took back what we deserved two years ago. The best place in the world."
A dark day for US basketball.
A wonderfull day for global basketball.
I thought it was a great day too!
At least if we had to lose it, then we lost it to a really great team, and to a bunch of great guys like Scola, Oberto, and Ginobili.
Gives the US a reason to really give a the next time the Olympic Games comes around and not expect to have the gold handed over on a silver platter.
After going through that article though, I had forgotten how big Scola was in that game. Though I'm sure Oberto will be a huge boost for our team as well, I really wish we couldve managed the buyout for Luis. I was really impressed by watching him play in Athens. If anything, hopefully we can work it out within the next year or two and dont end up losing him elsewhere.
Geesh... I can't believe it's been a year so fast.
I was happy for Manu. I was rooting for USA & Argentina.
I think Team U.S.A. gave their best effort. They were beaten by superior teams.
Awesome pics! Thanks for posting! = )
Tim got screwed
From left to right:
Wolkowinsky, Delfino, Nocioni, Gutierrez, Scola, Sconocchini, Fernandez, Herrmann, Oberto, Montecchia, Ginobili, Sanchez.
What a team.
The results would have been different if the U.S. had it's best players represent the country!
If your daddy would have used a condom, you wouldn't even be saying that.
Tim was the Only player of USA, The Other 11 players went to an ALL STAR GAME between seasons, they weren´t victory hungry and that in a eliminatory game makes the difference
Tim did get screwed and if the best US players had grown some testes and showed up things might have been different but that is all irrelevant. In that specific tournament, Argentina was the best team. They deserved all the accolades they recieved and I congratulate them.
and if your mama wouldn't have swallowed, you wouldn't be here!
Agreed! One can not say that the U.S. had it's "best" during that Olympic year. We'll see what happens in 2008. Congrats Argentina, You had your best represent your country and you won fair!
This is my favorite pic
Checks this points
This year Manu sayer, ne need a vacations because he played for the national team the last 8 straight years, and he played the olympics without a vacation, and he played every tournament then he was called
In the USA the players sayed no, when USA needs them for a WC or the Olympics for Only and the First time
In Argentina the players feel to the selection and still play knowing that they can have injuries and that they are going to need the rest during the season
And in addition, not even they are all players with millionaire contracts and that their economic future depend more on their team than of the national team
think of it this way.. we got the better player.Argentina played without starting big man Fabricio OBERTO, who broke his hand late in the team's semifinal victory over the United States. Luis SCOLA took his place, leading Argentina with 25 points and 11 rebounds, while making 10 of 13 two-point shots and all five of his free throws.
OBERTO was the starter.
Not allof them said no...
And I can't believe I'm defending them, but to be fair, I don't blame them if fear was a major reason they said no.
Imagine yourself going into a foreign place representing a country not only that a lot of people hate, but one that just got into a war.
Yeah...
.. a year ago everyone thought Barry was going to save the world.
We didn't have the slightest idea that Nazr would be a SPur and have a great
playoff run. ... a year ago I was as many of were very pissed off with the Spurs losing that pivotal game 5 vs the Lakers by .4 of a sec.
I believe every Spurs fan expected Manu to blossom and know for sure this coming season everyone expects just a little more from #20. Like 18-20 ppg.
Scola was the Manu of the Spurs in Argentina
The second scorer coming from the bench
And Scola was in the Ideal Team, not Oberto
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