Don’t cry for me Argentina….

Cheesy but a tailor-made headline for an oh-so-close performance in the bronze medal game of the London 2012 mens basketball tournament.

Both Argentina and Russia fought tooth and nail in an entertaining forty minutes that saw the Eastern Europeans come out the winners by four points, with the last forty seconds providing drama befitting this competition. A clutch score by veteran talisman Manu Ginobili saw Argentina take a 77-76 lead, seconds remaining and some tough defence required. Heartbreak ensued as competition revelation Alexey Shved (and Minnesota Timberwolves new recruit) drained a three that once again gave the Russians the upper hand. Nocioni’s three attempt rattled out and the bronze medal was captured by the Eastern Bloc. Ginobili cemented his place as the Gauchos player of the tournament with 21 points and four from eight from distance, Nocioni (16), Delfino (15) and Scola (11) providing the support. Shved produced game high stats of 25 points, 7 assists and 5 boards to seal a highly productive couple of weeks.

No vodka on a school night but a decent steak was consumed in honour of the side followed with much enjoyment for a couple of weeks by your author. As has now become tradition, the final words go to Manu.

‘Qué tristeza tengo! Cómo duele cuando se está tan cerca! Una lástima terminar así, pero como siempre, orgulloso de este equipo. GRACIAS!’

‘How sad I am! It hurts when you’re so close! Too bad to end like that, but as always, proud of this team. THANKS!’
A little part of South Yorkshire is proud too! Thanks for the memories!