The Argentine basketball team, current world runner-up, wants to continue expanding its legacy and will seek to strike a new blow at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. After an agonizing qualification, Argentina faces Australia. in the Saitama Super Arena.
Despite arriving with very good scrolls (second place in China 2019 and gold medal in the Pan American Games in Lima 2019), the national team had to suffer more than necessary to secure a ticket in the next round after starting their way with defeats against Slovenia by 118 to 100 and Spain, by 81 to 71.
The Albiceleste, after the hand of Dream team the United States defeating the Czech Republic 119-84, they reached the quarterfinals thanks to their 97-77 victory over local Japan, a group commanded by the Argentine Julio Lamas.
The oceanic are a rival to fear. After finishing fourth in the World Cup held in China two years ago, they come to this tournament with a thirst for revenge. Among its main figures are two NBA such as Patty Mills and Joe Ingles. The San Antonio Spurs guard, a former teammate of Manu Ginobili, is his top scorer with 21.7 points. He also averages 5.7 assists and 3.7 rebounds. The 2.04-meter forward of the Utah Jazz, meanwhile, has a roster with 10.3 units, 3.7 assists and 4.3 rebounds.
The hopes of those led by Sergio Hernández will be pinned on what its two main figures will be able to do: the eternal captain Luifa Scola (19.7 points and 5.3 rebounds on average) and point guard Facundo Campazzo. Among its main sides are Nicolás Laprovittola, Gabriel Deck and Lucas Vildoza
It is worth noting that both teams saw each other during a previous tour in Las Vegas. In that commitment Australia was imposed in a tight way by a score of 87 to 84
The winner of this crossing will be measured in the semifinals against the United States, a team that left on the way to Spain after beating it by 95 to 81. Kevin Durant, a man for the Brooklyn Nets, was the top gunner of those led by Gregg Popovich with 29 goals . On the other side of the table, Luka Doncic’s Slovenia had no problems to beat Germany 94-70.
Stadium: Saitama Super Arena
Referees: Aleksandar Glisic (Serbia) and Martins Kozlovskis (Latvia)
Television: Public TV and TyC Sports
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