How Argentina became Men's Basketball Olympic Champions

We follow Argentina through the Men's Basketball tournament at Athens 2004 to see how they became Olympic champions.

From the preliminary rounds to the knockout stages, we take a look at Argentina's key matches from the 2004 Olympic Basketball competition to see how they won gold.
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[-ninguno]

Argentina also won the gold medal in football the same day.

[creydadj]

Ginobili only NBA player that won an NBA Championship, Euroleague championship and Olympic championship. Sure first ballot Naismith and FIBA hall of famer and definitely will get a statue in Argentina.

Although not the best NBA player, this guy made a huge impact in the world b-ball scene

[javierkuhn]

Siempre admiré a los argentinos por su hambre de gloria en todos los deportes y la calidad de jugadores que siempre aporta. Saludos desde Argentina

[Diego]

I'm brazilian and I enthusiastically cheered for Argentina, magnificent match against USA. Ginobili, Scola & Co. were brilliant, eternally golden generation.

[BobSaint]

Deserved. Best greetings to Argentina from Serbia!

[divo]

Que orgulho uma seleção Sul-Americana jogar um basquete de nível mais alto que Europeus e Norte-Americanos. Ginobilli, gênio.

[thejoeyd]

One of the best accomplishments in the history of basketball. Mad respect to Argentina from the US!

[pabloriver]

Unthinkable, at some point of the history of basketball. And seeing the USA basketball team right now, it's going to be very difficult for other national teams to win an olympic gold medal. But nothing is impossible. I'm so proud of that team! LA GENERACIÓN DORADA!!

[johnthompson]

Argentina no one can beat because Argentina is one of the best basketball team of the world because of teamwork defense assist and shooting and determination, , , Argentina is the best!! Argentina is very playhard never surrender and go hard not go home Again Argentina is the best in world from the basketball🏀🏀👏👏👏👏👏

[luiselias]

Argentina fue una aplanadora con ese equipo.

[memeeater]

HE IS WITHOUT A DOUBT THE GREAT BENCH PLAYER AND DRAFT STEAL OF ALL TIME!!! The dude averaged 26-30 minutes per game while scoring about 14-17PPG for most of his career. In fact he averaged almost 20ppg in 2007-08 when he averaged 31 minutes per game and he also averaged 20.8ppg in the 2005 playoff which actually resulted in a 3rd championship for SAS which is highly impressive and the fact that he had 2 scoring options in his team (Tim Duncan and Tony Parker) is even more impressive since he had to share the ball a lot more. Oh and he’s one of the clutchest players I’ve seen in my entire life. His playmaking ability is absolutely amazing as well. The stats may not show that he’s much of a playermaker but there’s so many footage of him making an incredible no look passes and passes like that. Manu is one of the only 2 players to win a championship in NBA, Euroleague and olympics (Bill Bradley also made that same achievement but he played for the US so I guess that isn’t as impressive) Manu is the GOAT of the bench. Honestly even though timmy is the goat of SA and the GOAT of PFs, Manu ginobili has been more fun to watch. Manu ginobili will definitely be a hall of famer.

[brunoserassio]

Last time Argentina played against USA Ginobili were the man with more rings (4) on the field... respect to the one and only #20

[ilackedtheheart]

It's amazing that a guy of his talent and stature took a backseat to help turn the Spurs into one of the best sports dynasties. This man had the talent, drive, and leadership skills to be the #1 option on many teams, but he took a 6th man role and continued to be a great leader for the Spurs. His team first demeanor is what helped cultivate a culture of winning in San Antonio. While it was embarrassing to see the US win bronze that year, and it was disappointing to see Timmy not win Gold on that '04 squad, just about the only thing missing from his illustrious career, it was great to see team basketball triumph over sheer talent.

This Gold metal was the greatest accomplishment that Manu and the Argentinian National Team pulled off, and you can tell how close these guys were to each other, and how much this Gold metal meant to this whole team. Say what you want, about Manu getting into the NBA at such a late age, not putting up gaudy stats, but Manu deserves to be a first ballot HoFer. I don't think the Spurs would have won as many championships without him, and they wouldn't continue to be successful after his retirement, despite the last few years being the most difficult years for the Spurs, without him cultivating this team-first attitude. As much as Timmy meant to the Spurs, and as much as he accomplished, what Manu did is why he ranks just a little above Timmy as my favorite Spurs and basketball player of all-time.

[ShanHFernandes]

what an exciting end to the first match !

[smangekyou]

Ginobilli, Nocioni, pepe sanchez, delfino, Wolkowyski, montecchia, Oberto, Herman, etc. they were the best.

[bebebebota]

That was the Argentine's Golden Generation. I hope there can be another one.

[Diego]

And 14 years after Manu & Co. defeated the US, 'Geniobili' retires. What an honor to have seen Manu 'parade' on the courts.

[modusoperandi]

Its true that some All stars were missing but:
PPG in NBA 2003-2004 season:
Iverson 27.6
Duncan 22.3
Anthony 21.0
James 20.9
Stoudemire 20.6
Marbury 19.8
Marion 19.0
Jefferson 18.5
Odom 17.1
Wade 16.2
Boozer 15.5 (11.4 RPG)
Okafor (not in Nba at the time, 15.1 season 2004-2005)

[samsonpagunsan]

Argentina played as a team and with gusto to win against the US who played with overconfidence. That's how basketball is being played. Teamwork!

[MrRockleyend]

Winning to USA like we won it feel it like a golden medal itself. I will never forget the golden generation of Argentina's basketball: Manu, Scola, Oberto, Pepe Sanchez...