Argentina reached the final for the third time in its history: how did it go the other two times? – 09/13/2019

Argentina is making an incredible World Cup. The National Team won the 7 games it played in this competition and got into the final. Among them, he beat two of the favorites to keep the title: in quarters to Serbia – which had not lost a quarter in the first four games of the tournament – and in semis, this Friday, 80-66 to France, which was coming to get the United States out of the tournament.

It is the third time that the national team reaches the final of the World Cup. The first time he did it, it was in Argentina 1950, where he stayed with the title after beating the United States -which hung the silver-in the last meeting of the final phase, by 64-50.

The second time was in Indianapolis (USA) 2002, where Argentina came from hitting the elimination of the Dream Team with all its figures – in the first defeat of a United States team made up of NBA players, but fell in the match culminated by 84-77 against Yugoslavia in a close debate with an arbitration ruling that changed history.

The first joy

The only time – so far – the National Team reached maximum glory in a World Cup was in the legendary Luna Park: those led by Jorge Canavesi defeated the United States that came with its overwhelming record without defeats in international tournaments.

In the capital of our country, the Americans came with a team from Denver Chevrolet and with the reinforcements of Phillips 66 and the University of Oklahoma. The two arrived undefeated. The stadium was filled, as in the previous five matches of the combined Albiceleste and left in the ticket office an imposing collection: 202,580 pesos. Argentina played a great game and rounded up 6 wins in 6 games to keep the only World Cup in its history, all at Luna Park.

He ran away for nothing

In 2002, in his second finalist experience, the story was another. Argentina took second place after losing in overtime against Yugoslavia by 84 to 77. In that way, the Yugoslav team, which came from eliminating the United States in the quarterfinals, won its fifth World Cup.

The Albiceleste, with its Golden Generation, was considered one of the best selections of that tournament. It was no accident that I got there. His game stood out over those of his rivals. Even in the final he reached an advantage of 10 points against Yugoslavia. However, he could not resist the strength of the European team, a world power, and he ended up getting the silver medal.

However, this team had a rematch two years later, at the 2004 Athens Olympics. There, the gold medal was hung after beating Italy in the final at the hands of Manu Ginobili and company. In addition, he eliminated the American dream team in semis.

Now, he will have the chance to win his second World Championship, 69 years after his first feat. Is it the beginning of a new generation bathed in gold?