Argentina beats Brazil 111-107 in Olympic double-OT thriller

They were more aggressive and they played sharper than us. “But after what happened the last two or three games, there are some doubts”. But put “El Chapu” in an Argentina uniform for the final time (we think), and he can do special things.

The stage was set Saturday for a fierce rivalry between two countries that get very competitive for a competition in any sport, as the 2016 Olympic host nation Brazil was facing Argentina in group play, and after it took two overtimes for the game to finally decide a victor, it was Argentina who came out on top, with a 111-107 victory.

The two bitter rivals faced off and Argentina’s Golden Generation once again eclipsed Brazil. The stakes were high and the game delivered the goods.

The Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn reports that Brazilian fans were chanting expletives at Argentinian players shooting free throws. Andres Nocioni and Facundo Campazzo, the heroes of Argentina’s double overtime win against Brazil over the weekend, each were held out of the starting lineup without explanation and Spain took advantage of their absence. They could be eliminated if they lose to Argentina, but that seems unlikely, as Argentina is already qualified and its veterans should be exhausted after playing two overtimes against Brazil on Saturday.

“We’re Latin American brothers”, Huertas said, “and we’re counting on you to have a celebration within the Olympic spirit”. “We lost control of the game sometimes, but always, we try to keep going, keep going”.

“Two of the best teams of the last decade for sure”, Argentina’s Manu Ginobili said. News stories displayed here appear in our category for Sports and are licensed via a specific agreement between LongIsland.com and The Associated Press, the world’s oldest and largest news organization.

If Croatia loses to Lithuania later Monday, it will play the U.S. If Croatia loses, it will be Argentina vs. Team USA. “Today we came to play, and Monday, it’s another final”. Luis Scola scored 14 points and grabbed ten rebounds before fouling out, and former George Washington forward Patricio Garino adding ten points for Argentina, which is now atop Group B on seven points. The two combined for five made three-pointers as Spain shot a blistering 7-of-13 from long range in the opening 20 minutes. They shouldn’t have forced overtime, or the second overtime. You could see he was a little exhausted late, when Barbosa, who had rested the fourth quarter, got going offensively, by attacking Garino toward the rim for a quick run. “I never thought I’d get this far and I’m enjoying it”. But the silver medallists in the last two Olympics still face the prospects of meeting the U.S.in the quarterfinals – or not advancing at all. The 3-point shooting tells the story.

Again, Brazil got out to a lead, going up 94-88 with 2:54 to play. But it’s future is now in some doubt.

Argentina, which had qualified for the quarterfinals by defeating Brazil on Saturday, got off to an eight-point lead but that quickly dissipated and Spain ended the first quarter ahead 22-15. Brazil (1-3) and Nigeria (1-3) need help.

Taunting Argentines has become a theme of the Games with Brazil fans poking fun at the legendary Diego Maradona as Argentina crashed out in men’s football earlier.

Argentina assured its place in the quarter-finals by going to 3-1.

But at times it seemed Argentina, already guaranteed a top four spot in Group B, were not particularly interested in helping.

If two teams are tied, the tiebreaker is head-to-head. Both Spain and Argentina feature National Basketball Association players who are familiar with competing against the likes of Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony and the rest of the United States and will not be intimidated with medals on the line.

The game hadn’t been tied since it was 10-10.

Group A is much more easier to figure out. Japan beat France 79-71 and Australia bested Belarus 74-66.

In other Group A news, Australia finished first and will avoid the US until a potential gold medal matchup.