Barbosa looking to avenge heart-breaking 2010 loss to USA

SHENZHEN (China) - It's a game that Leandro Barbosa has watched many times and he is looking to avenge at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019. The game was against the United States in the Group Phase of the 2010 World Cup. And no one would blame Barbosa if he had never watched it again.

Brazil were trailing 70-68 with 3.5 seconds left and Marcelinho Huertas was fouled and sent to the line looking to tie the game for Brazil. Huertas missed the first foul shot and then deliberately missed the second and actually grabbed his own rebound. He passed to Barbosa, who managed to get a shot off under the rim over Kevin Love but it went in and out.

 
"It was a game that we lost at the end. Unfortunately they won," the 36-year-old said.

When asked how often he has re-watched the game, Barbosa answered: "A lot, a lot."

Brazil ended up losing to Argentina in the Round of 16 while the game was a wake-up for the Americans, who reeled off six consecutive wins by 37, 35, 55, 10, 15 and 17 to take home the 2010 title. The Americans have not lost since then in the World Cup, claiming the 2014 crown as well. 

Barbosa is one of five Brazilians who were in that game in Turkey and are still wearing the national team jersey in China along with Huertas, Anderson Varejao, Marquinhos Sousa and Alex Garcia. And on Monday, their chances of reaching the Quarter-Finals for a second straight tournament rely on beating the United States after a 22-point defeat to Czech Republic.

Barbosa and co. will have to look deep within themselves to beat USA

"We have to forget about it, and quick. We only have one more shot. And it's going to be against the USA," Barbosa said after the team's first loss after going undefeated in the First Round in Nanjing.

The devastating loss leaves the South Americans at 3-1 in Group K behind undefeated 4-0 United States and 3-1 Czech Republic with Greece at 2-2 after losses to Brazil (by 1 point) and United States. Brazil broke one of the cardinal sins of international competition and lost by a big margin, which could complicate their situation in any three-way tie involving the Czechs.

"NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE."- Barbosa

Looking ahead to the game against the mighty, two-time reigning champions United States, Barbosa said his team is aware of the challenge facing them.

"We know that it's a very tough matchup, a tough team. But nothing is impossible," the veteran guard said. "We still have to believe in ourselves and our team that we have one more shot to do it and be included in the top eight teams in the world. It's going to be tough but we're going to have to turn the page and come up really strong."

Barbosa already had one game he has gone back and watched a number of times. Maybe he will add the Czech defeat to it unless he and the Brazilians can come up with an out-of-this-world showing against USA.

FIBA