Revenge games on the cards for Argentina and USA after Olympic draw

TOKYO (Japan) - There was a strong feeling of unfinished business in Argentina's national team this week after the draw for the Olympic basketball tournament, which was held at FIBA's headquarters in Mies, Switzerland.

Just several months away from the start of the Tokyo Games, which were postponed for a year because of the coronavirus pandemic, Argentina landed in Group C with nemesis Spain, the country that emphatically denied the South American giants the second world title in their history in China in 2019.

So when the draw at the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball threw them into Group C in Tokyo with Spain, as well as Japan and the team that ultimately wins in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Kaunas, Lithuania, the fire within burned white hot.

"We left the Final with anger and we want revenge," said Argentina guard Nicolas Laprovittola.

There are still four big unknowns about the Olympic tournament, with placeholders drawn for winners of each of the four QOTs in Canada, Croatia, Lithuania and Serbia.

Yet the Argentina v Spain showdown is on. It's a game that already stirs the embers.

Spain coach Sergio Scariolo, who presided over Spain in their rout of Argentina at the FIBA Basketball World Cup and also led the country to Olympic silver in 2012 in London, and bronze five years ago in Rio, expects every time out in Tokyo to be a battle.

Speaking from Toronto, Canada, where he is an assistant coach of with the NBA's Raptors, the Italian said: "We probably have tough opponents like Argentina, the one that will come out of the group in Kaunas, and Japan, who are hosts and are preparing very consciously and have an important international player — Rui Hachimura — and have some players of international level, one of whom I'm coaching with Toronto, Yuta Watanabe.

"Besides all of this, the only thing we can say is that we wish that everything proceeds correctly, that we can arrive healthy to enjoy these Olympic Games and so that we can celebrate, via the Olympic Games, a return to normalcy in which obviously the attendance is a fundamental point."

Japan's Hachimura will be one of the star attractions at the Tokyo Games

And what of the Japan coach, Julio Lamas, an Argentinian who coached his country to fourth place at the London Games?

"We'll be taking on the two Finalists of the World Cup, and it says it all," Lamas said. "They play collectively at a high level and have players that possess individual skills. As for Spain, besides winning the gold medal at the World Cup, they've won medals at consecutive Olympics in the past."

Lamas also admitted it will be strange coaching against Argentina.

"WE'LL BE TAKING ON THE TWO FINALISTS OF THE WORLD CUP, AND IT SAYS IT ALL"- Japan coach Julio Lamas

"Emotionally, I didn't want to play against my country," he said. "But what I'll prioritize is our team. Whether we're playing against my country or whoever else, I'll put our team first and try to come up with the best results we can have — that's the most important thing."

As far as rematches go, the USA will get another crack at France, the country that ended their podium hopes at the World Cup in the Quarter-Finals. The teams were drawn in Group A of the Olympics with Iran and the country that finishes first in the Victoria OQT.

The favorites in that tournament could be Canada, as the host nation, although Greece, Turkey and the Czech Republic are among the other sides that will be contending for the Olympic spot. Should Turkey win, they would get another chance against the USA, who beat them 93-92 after overtime at the World Cup.

"It's exciting to learn more about the Olympic schedule and who our preliminary round opponents will be in Tokyo," said USA head coach Gregg Popovich. "The three Olympic preliminary groups appear well balanced, and there are a good number of teams who have legitimate shots at the gold medal in Tokyo."

The USA will once again have to contend with France's Evan Fournier

Coach Vincent Collet, whose French team ended up finishing third at the World Cup for the second consecutive time, stressed the importance of every game in Tokyo because of the new competition system.

Instead of two groups of six teams as at previous Olympics, there are now three groups of four teams with a draw to be held before the Quarter-Finals.

"The tight format gives even more importance to each game and in this context, the point differential can be problematic since we are facing the favorites (USA) of the tournament," he said. "We will have to give everything against a revengeful team. The objective of my group is to be on the podium."

"WHILE WE DON'T YET KNOW ALL OUR GROUP OPPONENTS, THE DRAW IS ANOTHER PIECE OF THE JIGSAW WE ARE PIECING TOGETHER TO DELIVER THAT ELUSIVE GOLD MEDAL."- Australia coach Brian Goorjian 

In Group B will be Australia, who finished fourth at the World Cup, along with Nigeria and the winners of the OQTs in Split, Croatia, and Belgrade, Serbia.

Australia coach Brian Goorjian, who is back at the helm after leading the Boomers at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, said: "While we don't yet know all our group opponents, the draw is another piece of the jigsaw we are piecing together to deliver that elusive gold medal.

"A successful Olympics campaign is all about preparation both on and off the court, getting our style of play and selection spot on, and delivering when it matters."

FIBA