The basketball game between Argentina and the United States was much anticipated, as Argentina is the defending gold medal champion who eliminated the United States from the Olympics in Athens.This year, however, it was the United States that finally came out on top, defeating Argentina 101 to 81.According to the New York Times, it was a closely fought game, the first real challenge for the United States so far this Olympics.Much to the disappointment of fans, Manu Ginobili only played for the first quarter of the game and then was forced to leave with an injured ankle.Argentina went on to play Lithuania for the bronze medal and won, 87-75.They team said that they won it for Ginobili, who had to sit the final game out because his ankle was keeping him in pain.

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On of the closest and most exciting basketball games of these Olympics, the game between Argentina and Greece yesterday came down to the wire, as Argentine inched past 80-78.According to Real GM Sports, the game was touch and go until the end, with each team making clutch baskets that kept the lead fluctuating.At the last moment, with Argentina up by two points, Vasileios Spanoulis missed a three point basket for Greece, giving Argentina the win.Now, Argentina will face the United States in the semi-finals.The Dream Team has dominated in every game thus far, so it is sure to be a tough match-up for Argentina.In the game, Manu Ginobili will be facing many of his fellow players from the NBA.

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On Saturday, Manu Ginobili led the Argentine basketball team to a decisive victory over Iran, 97 to 82.Ginobili scored 32 points, nearly a third of the team’s total, and was the leading scorer from either team.According to China View, Iran felt pleased to have finished within 15 points of the defending gold medal champion.This is Iran’s first time competing in the Olympics for basketball.Argentina was less pleased with their performance, as they made many mistakes, but they got the win and continue to be a strong contender for a medal.Argentina will play Russia later today.

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Despite a strong performance by Manu Ginobili, who scored 19 points, Argentina lost its first basketball game to Lithuania yesterday.According to The Boston Globe, the final score was 79-75 and the game came down to a tense finish.In the final minutes of the game, Argentina went on a run, with two free throws made by Ginobili, a basket by Carlos Delfino, and a basket by Luis Scola.Argentina pulled to within one of Lithuanian but their efforts were not quite enough to bring the victory home.While a disappointing loss, Lithuania is one of the best teams in the Olympic tournament this year and Argentina will have several more opportunities in group play to get back their loss.

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The US Women’s basketball team won the gold medal at the FIBA U18 Americas Women’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday.They went 5-0, finishing their unbeaten streak by defeating Argentina 81-37, a victory spearheaded by Nneka Ogwumike who made a double-double with 20 points and 15 rebounds.According to theMissoulian, the game started close but was broken open during the last two quarters as the US outscored Argentina 41-12. Canada finished second, Brazil third, and Argentina fourth, qualifying all four teams to play in the FIBA U19 World Championships.

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Basketball is on the brain of Argentines lately, as talk about Ginobili and the Olympics fills the air. A future Olympic hopeful, Juan Manuel Fernandez, has just been signed to a national letter of intent by the coach of Temple University. 6 feet, four inches, Fernandez is the son of a professional Argentine basketball player and just played in the 2008 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship which took place in Formosa, Argentina.Fernandez helped lead his team to the gold medal in this tournament, in which Argentina defeated the US in the final, 77 to 64. No doubt we will be seeing Fernandez on our TV screens during March Madness in years to come.

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