By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
In by far the most fascinating game of the Olympic Games so far, Argentina took down Brazil with a 111 – 107 victory after two overtimes. It was a match to be remembered and not only because of its great length, changes in the lead or background rivalry between the two countries.
What definitely stole the show was the awesomely epic duo of Anders Nocioni (37 points , 11 rebounds) and Facu Campazzo (33 points, 11 assists). They combined for no less than 70 (!) points, being practically behind everything beneficial action which led the “Albiceleste” to the win.
Both players made new scoring career highs (in official games) with their country’s national team.
But if it was their decisive plays that put the cherry on top of the pie they were baking. Chapu was the one to bang the three-pointer that denied the Brazilians win in regular time and Campazzo sank the back to back downtown baskets which initiated an 8-0 run for his team in the first minutes of the second extra period.
Leandro Barbosa who was just a.. spectator in the match until that moment, tried to rally his team for a comeback, but the tournament’s hosts didn’t make their many fans happy in the end.
Brazil, led by Hilario Nene’s best game in the Olympics (24 points, 11 rebounds) could have won this in the 40-minute game, but chose not to foul before Nocioni forced the first overtime. They were leading 82 – 85.
Coach Magnano’s players had previously come back from a 10-point deficit in the first quarter, managing to even take a double-digit lead (52-42) a bit before halftime.
But Argentina fought back putting some strong defense on court during the fourth period in order to finally claim the precious positive result.
