Olympics 2004: Spain had to settle for seventh place

At last came the 2004 Olympics when Spain were favorites alongside the United States (at least in the Spanish media), and would do everything possible to bring back a medal home, which had not happened since 1984 when we lost the final against the Yankees.

The Olympics is the most elite international tournament there in basketball. Being among the 12 qualified teams is very difficult, because with 12 beds, is very, very difficult to enter. Spain came as runner-up, and was drawn in Group A along with the following selections: Italy, Argentina, China, New Zealand and Serbia.

Group B consisted of Lithuania, Greece, Puerto Rico, USA, Australia and Angola, which was not the only team to win any game.

Spain illusion from the outset. Against China, which would be the next host of the Olympic Games, won by 25 points as Argentina, runners-up in the world, won 11, Italy from 8 to New Zealand with 4, and, finally, eliminated Serbia (which I had to make himself or itself) of 8 points. The only group of its group that won all their games, like the European champions Lithuania in Group B.

His prize not want anyone, play against the U.S. quarter-final. They lost two matches in the group stage and were classified rooms, playing a horrible basketball to be the greatest world power in this sport, but do they have these players that if you make a good game, no one stops them. And that's what happened. The United States beat Spain 102-94 and sent us to stake our seventh place with China, which succeeded.

Argentina avenged and we beat them in the semifinals to face Italy for the Olympic gold. The winner was Argentina, silver for Italy and bronze for the United States.