[The Final] Argentina - Spain

[Kwijibo]

Hey where are you Kwijibo? Now is when you have to write that typical thing of "very easy tournament for us"

I thought it was pretty obvius to say that in another unbeaten WC

[Adon]

I rly doubt this reading the messages

Probably you are confused, I've never said otherwise. I'm not a blind fanatic like some Barca's fans in here

[Victorious]

WOW.



this team just might. (no disrespect to Spain)

imo this is no cinderella team. maybe you overestimated other NTs. This team has very talented players that played in our league. They might not be NBA players but they have enough quality to play in our NT. Just wondering, if we get a medal at the 2020 olympic games will you keep saying Argentina is a Cinderrela team ?

Don't take this personal. I argued before the tournament that Spain may arguably have the most talent outside the USA. I still insist on that. Argentina obviously is not a Cinderella team like say, the Czech republic, but they are in part in the final because they have played as an absolute underdog with little pressure against both Serbia as well as France, while the latter two had tremendous pressure against Argentina. Look at the coach of Serbia, already fired. By the time you reached the final, there is little room left for surprise, so then it boils down to the talent of both teams. And Spain is simply superior. Congratulations for the medal and the qualification for the Olympics. A very good tournament on your part.

[Darrell Armstrong]

This is why you want to play a final against Argentina. They know how to celebrate a win, and they know how to show class after a loss:

"Spain definitely played great, better than us. Their tactical plan was perfect, their execution was perfect. They have great players with a lot of experience, a longer rotation than us. Nothing to say - they were better than Argentina. We tried. No excuses, we were not tired. We were not satisfied because we played in the Final. We wanted to win. We felt great before the game, just, this is basketball. If you play better than the other team, you win the game. Spain was the better team today."

[HeinrichMohr]

This is why you want to play a final against Argentina. They know how to celebrate a win, and they know how to show class after a loss:

"Spain definitely played great, better than us. Their tactical plan was perfect, their execution was perfect. They have great players with a lot of experience, a longer rotation than us. Nothing to say - they were better than Argentina. We tried. No excuses, we were not tired. We were not satisfied because we played in the Final. We wanted to win. We felt great before the game, just, this is basketball. If you play better than the other team, you win the game. Spain was the better team today."

Yep, that was coach Sergio Hernández.

[Darrell Armstrong]

I'm not totally agree, let me say it clear, Spain defence is great, but more in the zone, not so much in the 3pt line. Spain defence collapse a lot in the zone, doing an excellent job, a lot of help came from everywhere. In this area is a elite defence. And the guards are quick as hell (like Argentina). But when you move the ball, an go in and out the zone, you can take a clean 3pt shoot, from time to time. Argentina shoots wide open 3s, but the ball not fall in.

Argentina came to the final running the floor and shooting 3pt.
Today shoots bad. Even if Argentina shoots better, Spain probably stiil win.

Saw the stats. Spain's perimeter defence has allowed for less than 7 three-pointers per game (Argentina had 7) at a 28% clip (Argentina shot 26%). Let that sink in. Spain has faced Serbia, Italy, Australia... all teams with better outside shooters than Argentina and still got them to miss around 75% of their three-pointers. The only teams which had a decent showing against Spain were Iran and Poland.

Spain's defence in this tournament was really, really good.

[Tesla]

Congratulation to Spain! I will hate this team to all eternity but this will not change the fact that they have everything required to win titles and medals.

Why do you hate this team?

[Tesla]

Congratulations to Spain. Best team sporting nation in the world. Congratulations to Argentina as well. Underdog achievements are particularly rare in basketball so it's good to know that it's possible. Not that Argentina don't have great players, but were outside the top tier. This was a great World Cup.

[Darrell Armstrong]

Congrats to Spain, Mr. Chacho, Darrell Armstrong and all the Spanish posters. Wait I can’t leave out Kwijibo.
Very impressive tournament by Spain finishing with a clean sheet just like they did in 2006. Non USA champions just don’t do that other than Spain. Now 2-0 in Finals without Pau Gasol also illustrates that this was and is a well rounded team.

Argentina was who we thought they were after all. Teams with such inferior talent just don’t win World Events.
Very disappointed in France and Serbia for being eliminated by such an obviously weak team and subjecting us to this
Final game.

Well, thanks. But I think you underestimate Argentina. They won all their games fair and square. They were thrown off their game by Spain today, but, that has happened to every other opponent we faced. So no shame there.

I agree that we match up pretty well against Argentina and we would have had harder matches against almost any other contender. Australia gave us all we could handle. France would have been very tough. Even teams which didn't make it to the medal round like Lithuania could have proved a worthy opponent.

But at least it wasn't a USA - Serbia or USA - Turkey As far as finals go, this was one of the more disputed of the XXI century.

[Darrell Armstrong]

I dont think they will not play good becasue they are young ,simply I dont see this trait in them .Both of them are talented,have quality ,but unreclaimed,undisciplined,wrong decisions,any string in professional carreer is play in Nba in some peripheral teams without important role .For me that is not champion character .

Both played great today. Willy's defence has improved by bounds and leaps since the start of the tournament. Three blocks today and a really imposing inside presence. Admittedly, Argentina's centers weren't the best, but they totally destroyed the Serb's just a few days ago.

[Darrell Armstrong]

I think Argentina will win and rather easily.I'm still kinda shocked by how easily they dismantled both Serbia and France.I see no reason why they couldnt do the same to Spain.I dont think any of Argentina's players are top class and winning the trophy wont change my mind.But they do play impressively as a unit and with confidence and unlimited energy on both ends of the floor right now.Maybe their two month preparation paid off.They look like a team in mid season form.

I know a jinx when I see one!

[kartog]

La Roja goes all the way, congrats

[Arsonist]

Spain made a great approach to the game, and from the beginning took the pace of the game, the defense of Spain against Argentina was one of the key factors, therefore lowered the percentage of field of the South Americans through the intelligent defense, stressed Scola and Campazo which were the key players of Argentina and neutralized the game, in addition Spain through its defense constantly nourished its offensive and were fine in the field throws.

Although Argentina was erased from the field in the final, they have a lot of merit for everything they did and got a lot out of the tournament, because reaching a final is not easy and less in a world cup, they also leave with their ticket to the Olympic Games, the silver medal and a great apprenticeship for their younger players, which will serve them for all events and tournaments to come.

With respect to Spain Gasol cannot have more luck with a year round champion of the NBA and champion of the world, but of course everything in base to work, Rubio also raised of level in this world-wide one, like the brothers Hernangomez, Spain assumed its hierarchy and is worthy champion of this that was a great world-wide one.

[Kwijibo]

Why do you hate this team?

Because haters gonna hate

[usagre]

It was pretty funny to see Tony Parker and Kobe Bryant at the World Cup Final. That was probably the first World Cup/Championships game they have ever personally watched. Hilarious to use them as ambassadors for the tournament when combined the two have participated in a total of 0 games. Parker didn’t play in ‘06, ‘10 or ‘14. And Kobe didn’t seem interested in playing in ‘02, ‘06 or ‘10. You get the feeling that had the tournament taken place in his private gym at his home back in those years he probably still wouldn’t have participated.