Lightning strikes twice
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ByEurosport
Published 28/08/2004 at 19:36 GMT
After 52 years without Olympic gold, Argentina ended that drought with two titles in one day. After winning the football competition on Saturday morning, they capped off a golden day by downing Italy 84-69 in a thrilling basketball final to send the succe
Eurosport
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Luis Scola was the leading player for Argentina, who beat three-times defending Olympic champions the United States on Friday. He scored 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
Manu Ginobili fired in 13 points in the first half to help Argentina to a 12 point lead, but Italy closed the gap to two and eventually tied the score at 51-51 in the third quarter before Scola began dominating at both ends of the court.
Gianmarco Pozzecco and Matteo Soragna both had 12 points for Italy, who were looking to take their first ever gold in the sport to go along with a silver they won in 1980.
It was Argentina's first basketball medal ever.
BRONZE MEDAL MATCH: USA 104-96 LITHUANIA
The United States went on an offensive spree to claim a bronze medal, outduelling Lithuania 104-96 in a match delayed by 40 minutes.
Having struggled most of the tournament on their way to three losses, the win saves the team from becoming the first American squad to not bring home a Games medal.
It also erased the embarrassment of showing up in the wrong uniforms. The U.S. mistakenly wore their white uniforms to the arena, the same as the Lithuanians, and the game was held up while the team sent for its red "away" jerseys.
When play finally started, the two teams were close for three quarters until Shawn Marion keyed a run midway through the final frame to put the Americans up for good.
Marion ended the game with 22 points, while Allen Iverson had 15. Arvydas Macijauskas had 24 for Lithuania, who were looking to win their fourth consecutive Olympic bronze.
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