Last season Argentina experienced two losses and ended as runner-up to the United States. But this season this Latin American country eventually conquered the gold medal by defeating Italy and set a record of 84-69. The mighty Argentinean team featured guard Emanuel “Manu” Ginobili, Center Ruben Wolkowyski, along with Fabricio Oberto, Andreas Nocioni and Luis Scola with guards Juan “Pepe” Sanchez Leandro Palladino and Alejandro Montecchia. The United States became the recipient of bronze medal by beating Lithuania (100-91). Till lat year, Lithuania was the earnest recipient of four consecutive Olympic bronze medals. But with the triumph of Argentina, the history of Euroleague completely changed and marked an invigorating episode. The U.S. team registered their worst result in 68 years of Olympic basketball.

Argentina initiated a new era in Olympic basketball. From the very beginning, very consistently they took the hold of the game. Luis Scola of Tau Ceramica was the key factor with 25 points on 10 of 13 two-pointers and 11 rebounds. He scored 8 points in the final 3 minutes of the opening period, which gave his team a 23-16 lead after 10 minutes. Alejandro Montecchia of Pamesa Valencia scored 17 points, including three three-pointers in the final period. Guard Ginobili had 16 points. His three-point play with two free throws boosted Argentina's lead to 34-22. Center Wolkowyski, who replaced injured Oberto in the starting five, amassed 13 points for the Olympic champions. Argentina made its defense more strategic and made its opponents go scoreless in the final 4 minutes of Game 3. In the Game 4, Wolkowyski and Scola made Argentina recapture the lead at 60-54. Alejandro Montecchia simply changed the momentum of the game by setting a game-breaking 1-12 run in the final period and also assisted his club to get a 13-point lead at 73-60 with less than 5 minutes to go. Italy was desperately vying to make a quick comeback. But Montecchia's two free throws and his third hit from beyond the arc averted any kind of comeback.

Athens 2004 saw the triumph of many Euroleague players, past and present. Though United States also delivered a spectacular performance but could not reach the summit. The United States dominated the game in the early going, leading 11-18 after 7 minutes, but Macijauskas's three-pointer with a four-point play and Jasikevicius hit helped Lithuania tie the game, 24-24, at the end of the first quarter. But in the last quarter of the game Iverson gave the U.S. team a 90-100 lead, which Lithuania could not prevail over. Greece secured the fifth spot in the Olympics by beating Puerto Rico 85-75. Spain beat China 92-76 and clinched the seventh spot in the tournament. The unbelievable success of Argentina involves the contribution of both the Euroleague and the ULEB Cup champs. Keeping in view their achievements Pepe Sanchez, Walter Herrmann and Luis Scola will play the Euro league next season. Manu Ginobili has to his credit the first Euroleague MVP.

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