FORMOSA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers) —The Argentine national team played in Formosa for the first time in history. That was one of the reasons why the expectations of finding a seat at Estadio Cincuentenario were so high. Of course, watching idols like Luis Scola and Facundo Campazzo up close was also worth the effort. The Formosa fans massively attended the match to give cheer on and show their national team colors.

But not only did the host province fans arrive to the duel between Argentina and Puerto Rico. They also came from nearby provinces. Like Franco, a 16-year-old fan from Corrientes, who was visibly excited because of the opportunity: “This is the first time I’ll be in the arena watching the national team. I play basketball and I watch every game on television, but I had never had a chance like this,” explained the young man before entering the stadium.

Among such a big audience, which surpassed the four thousand people, there were some who stood out from the common visitors. Lucas Victoriano, second-place winner at Indianapolis 2002, commented before the game: “I imagine myself in the locker rooms before the game. I have beautiful memories of when I was in the National Team. The enthusiasm of playing in your country is very significant. These guys should enjoy this because there are not so many opportunities of playing in front of your people.” For his part, Palo Quinteros, bronze medalist in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, stated: “I have mixed feelings. Because I've lived it from the inside I know what it means to put on that t-shirt and I’d also like to be there, but it's also very satisfying to be able to enjoy these players as a spectator.”

The adrenaline started rushing and with the anthems the choir of voices was heard with a striking strength. The development of the first minutes of the game caused a certain tension among the public because, although Argentina portrayed themselves as a very good rival, they could not distance themselves thanks to uncontrollable Barea’s contributions.

Then, from the second quarter on, the fans were infected by the energy of Sergio Hernández’s team, and the Formosa stadium transformed into a festival. Now, with every point the local squad made, the cheering grew louder and louder.

The performance by Rosco — the iconic Argentine basketball mascot — was the entertainment for the rests, especially in the half-time, where he displayed his sensational slam-dunks.

During the second half of the game, the fervor decreased, since the wide margin established by the Argentines relaxed the fans, who were now selecting specific plays to cheer on. The classic wave made everyone stand up from their seats as an anticipated celebration when there was still time left on the clock. Before the end, the players who received the best ovations when abandoning the court in the final minutes were Scola (with his four children as main fans) and Campazzo. When the success was official, everyone started to celebrate. The players embraced in the middle of the court and the spectators acknowledged them by clapping their hands. Argentina took an important step forward towards the FIBA Basketball World Cup and drew a smile on the faces of a great number of fans that were able to see their national team for the first time — at home.

But not only were there smiles. There were also tears of joy like María’s, a 23-year-old Formosa native who explained: “being able to see this team in my city is one of the most beautiful things that have happened in my life.”

Pablo Cormick
FIBA