FIBA – It’s a sport fest, literally

BEIJING (Olympics) - Well, it’s not only Team USA who are cheering their countrymen (and women) in other sport.

The other night Manu Ginobili led a couple of his Argentinian teammates to the tennis courts to provide the all needed support to David Nalbandian for his pre-quarterfinal match against Frenchman Gael Monfils.

Fellow Argentinian tennis player Guillermo Canas, Nalbandian’s doubles partner at the Olympics, was at hand to provide the insight into the game. Nalbandian lost that match, but would have surely noted the support from his basketballers.

Don’t be surprised if the two tennis stars visit the Wukesong Arena to boost Argentina’s campaign to retain the gold.

Spanish brothers Marc and Pau Gasol were more fortunate to support a winning cause, again in tennis.

The duo rushed to the tennis venue after beating Germany, to witness Rafael Nadal, as the new No. 1 of the ATP Rankings went about his business as usual beating Austrian Jurgen Meltzer.

Moving on to the Messi-Bryant friendship...

The latest we hear is that the Argentine super star footballer presented Bryant with his shirt during the half time of the game against Serbia. Messi did not take to the field for that game, but his team won 2-0, with Bryant playing the cheerleader in the stands.

“He came to watch the game, he waved at me from the stands ... a real master. Kobe showed that he is seriously great,” Messi told The Malaysia Star newspaper.

The two had already met at the Olympic Village, and Bryant, who spent several childhood years in Italy and played football there, described Messi as his favourite footballer and “a phenomenon”.

FIBA