ARG - Tired Argentina fail to execute down the stretch

SAITAMA (FIBA World Championship) - Argentina were among the top sides at the FIBA World Championship but they left the tournament after back-to-back defeats.

Silver-medal winners four years ago, and Olympic champions in 2004, Argentina returned to South America empty-handed.

Twenty-four hours after their 75-74 defeat to Spain, Sergio Hernandez's team had a chance to salvage a bronze medal but tired legs and failure to execute the game plan cost them dear.

"We were not there. Our strategy was there but we didn't execute for the first time in this whole FIBA World Championship," said Mau Ginobili.

"We tried our best, but it wasnt enough against a great team like them."

Pepe Sanchez, the Argentina point guard who had a terrific tournament, added: "We played hard but we ran out of energy in the second half. Playing back-to-back is hard."

Ginobili, who led Argentina to the 2004 Olympic crown, said the team was emotionally spent after the loss to Spain.

"Of course it's hard," he said.

"You always want to go back home with something. But I'm way more disappointed about yesterday (against Spain).

"Even though we came for a medal, we were so close to getting a chance at gold that it's hard to be disappointed about not getting a bronze. I'm still upset from yesterday."

When asked how they tried to beat Team USA, Sanchez said: "We tried to get them to play FIBA style of basketball but they went on a great run.

"We tried to slow down the game a bit and make them play FIBA style of play and we did that for a while but then they came out in the second half and had a great run," Sanchez continued.

"It’s difficult for Team USA to play international basketball. They’re used to different rules and not used to so much contact.

"It’s a different kind of basketball altogether and it’s very hard to adjust. But today, they played great. They made their open shots."

By David Hein and Simon Wilkinson
FIBA