ARG – Montecchia set to return to playing in Argentina

REGATES CORRIENTES (Liga Nacional) - Argentina’s Olympic gold medal hero Alejandro Montecchia could return to action this weekend for the first time since tearing his Achilles tendon back in December of 2006.

The 36-year-old guard is on the books of Regatas Corrientes in Argentina.

"I'm really well and looking forward to playing,” he said.

“After a year without playing, I am really excited and anxious to return to the court. Regatas always believed I would recover and they have supported me along the way.”

Montecchia achieved almost legendary status in Argentina when he scored 17 points in 17 minutes of Argentina’s gold medal win at the Athens Games against Italy.

His biggest shot in that game came early in the fourth quarter, when the South Americans led 61-59.

Montecchia pulled up and hit a three-pointer, and that sparked a 12-1 run that the Azzurri never recovered from.

He retired from the national team, and in the time since has spent more time fishing than playing the game because of injuries.

But he is very clued in to what his national side is doing.

Looking back at last summer’s FIBA Americas Championship in Las Vegas, Montecchia said: "The team's aim was to qualify for the Olympics and they did just that.

“They went into a tournament that looked extremely complicated but as the games went on, you could see the differences between the top teams and the rest.

“Thankfully, Argentina are again in the Olympics."

And just how will they do without him in Beijing?

"There are chances (of reaching the podium), we have a great team,” he said.

“Without a doubt the aim of the guys will be to get another medal. The core of the team from the past Olympics is there and with an 80% certainty that almost all the players will play.”

FIBA