ARG/ESP – Manu plays but Argentina lose nail-biter at Spain

MADRID (Olympics) – Manu Ginobili played almost 21 minutes and scored 18 points but Argentina fell to Olympic rivals Spain 90-88 on Tuesday in a warm-up for the Beijing Games.

There have been fears that Ginobili may not be available for the South Americans in China because of an ankle injury he suffered in the NBA play-offs but on Tuesday the San Antonio Spurs star appeared to be well on his way to recovery.

"I played a long time and I am satisfied,” Ginobili said, “despite not being physically 100%, yet.”

Spain looked to be in control at half-time when they opened up a 45-30 advantage but weren’t able to put the defending Olympic champions away.

One reason was because Sergio Hernandez’s team hit 12 of 25 shots from behind the arc on the night, with Ginobili four of five.

The South Americans outscored their hosts 25-18 in the third quarter and drew even closer at the end.

Sergio Hernandez’s team could have won had Carlos Delfino been able to connect from three-point range but the new BC Khimki guard was off target with his attempt.

"Argentina is always a tough opponent,” said Spain point guard Jose Manuel Calderon, who led the hosts with 18 points.

He was also accurate from behind the arc, burying four of six shots.

“We had to work to overcome them, but in the end we were very concentrated and we were able to take the victory," Calderon said.

Marc Gasol poured in 12 points, Raul Lopez 11 and Rudy Fernandez nine.

Ginobili led Argentina to the gold medal at the Athens Games four years ago and he admitted that Spain on Wednesday looked like a team that will contend for a place on the podium in Beijing.

"Spain are not a surprise,” he said.

“They have a great team, arguably the best or one of the best teams in the world.”

Spain and Argentina will play again at the Torneo Orense.

The two national teams, along with Lithuania, are taking part in the event from Thursday through Saturday.

TORNEO ORENSE:

Thursday, July 24: Spain v Lithuania
Friday, July 25: Lithuania v Argentina
Saturday, July 26: Spain v Argentina

FIBA