ARG - Delfino: Olympic berth a boost for Argentina

BUENOS AIRES (2008 Beijing Olympic Games) - Carlos Delfino believes Argentina's qualification for the Olympic Games will calm any discontent among the nation`s basketball fans and give them a renewed sense of optimism.

The reigning Olympic champions qualified for the Beijing tournament after finishing as runners-up to the United States in the recent FIBA Americas Championship in Las Vegas despite the absences of several high-profile stars.

NBA aces Manu Ginobili, Pepe Sanchez, Fabricio Oberto, Walter Herrmann, Ruben Wolkowyski all opted out of the competition, while Andres Nocioni was ruled out through injury.

However, NBA stars Delfino and Luis Scola led the team to Beijing where they will defend the gold medal they won in Athens in 2004.

Toronto Raptors forward Delfino believes the largely second-string team proved the critics wrong in Nevada.

"The qualification was useful to keep Argentinian basketball at a high level and to calm bad feeling," Delfino told Ole newspaper.

"There was a lot of controversy and rumours circulating.

"People did not believe in this team because the most important players of the Athens campaign were absent.

"There were few people who had backed us from the very beginning, but that motivated us too.

"Now we have qualified for the Olympic Games and Argentina remain second in the FIBA world rankings, something unbelievable 10 years ago."

The 25-year-old admits he was surprised by how quickly the team gelled.

"I was surprised by the level Argentina reached and the chemistry we created in such a short time, almost a month, but I can highlight the union of this team - everybody understood the group was first."

Delfino highlighted the Tuto Marchand Continental Cup in Puerto Rico as an important factor in his side`s preparations, adding that Brazil's poor start to the FIBA tournament came as a timely boost.

"Before the trip, I thought the United States were 100% qualified for the Olympic Games, then Brazil had 70% of the possibilities and we had 30%," Delfino added.

"Then in Puerto Rico our chances increased and when Brazil did not start well in Las Vegas, it was 50-50."

And confidence increased alongside team cohesion.

"When playing I felt very confident," he continued. "I noticed the group were united and more solid game after game and I realised we were the best team in the championship and did not depend on individual skills like other sides."

Argentina met Brazil in the semi-finals and Delfino did not once doubt the result despite his side being underdogs.

"We never thought we would lose to Brazil.

"We wanted to roll them over. We were over-motivated because everybody put Brazil as favourites."

Prior to the FIBA Americas Championship, the 12 names likely to represent Argentina in Beijing were almost secured, but now Paolo Quinteros, Roman Gonzalez, Antonio Porta, Federico Kammerichs and Carlos Matias Sandes have proved they, too, are up to the task.

"A lot of players gained respect and demonstrated they can be part of the Olympic side," Delfino added.

"Next year, it will be very difficult for all of us to be chosen among the 12. Oveja [coach Sergio Hernandez] will have a very hard job, but a very nice one too."

Matias Greco
FIBA