ARG – Manu is `realistic’ about Argentina’s gold medal chances

BUENOS AIRES (Olympics) - Manu Ginobili is fully aware that everyone in South America and around the world is wondering if he and Argentina have what it takes to seriously challenge for another Olympic gold medal.

Just four years ago, the Argentinians became the darlings of international basketball when beating hosts Greece in the quarter-finals, semi-finalists Team USA and then Italy in the final to capture the title.

"People don't realize how difficult it is to win gold at the Olympics,” Ginobili said.

“It happened once and it may happen again but it's complicated. Many things have to fall into place. You cannot lose in key games, in key shots. It's far more realistic that it will not happen but that we come close.

“But we are all very enthusiastic."

Players like Ginobili, Fabricio Oberto, Andres Nocioni and Luis Scola have gained vital experience with their clubs in the time that has passed since Athens, and Scola was last year voted MVP of the FIBA Americas Championship in Las Vegas.

But guards Pepe Sanchez and Alejandro Montecchia, and swingman Walter Herrmann, are no longer playing which means coach Sergio Hernandez will be looking for new stars to emerge.

FIBA