Basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament



The men's basketball tournament at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, began on 15 August and ended on 28 August, when Argentina defeated Italy 84–69 for the gold medal. The games were held at the Helliniko Olympic Indoor Arena and Olympic Indoor Hall.

Format

 * Twelve teams are split into two preliminary round groups of six teams each.
 * The top four teams from both groups qualify for the knockout stage.
 * Fifth-placed teams from both groups compete for ninth place in an additional match.
 * Sixth-placed teams from both groups compete for 11th place in an additional match.
 * In the quarterfinals, the matchups are as follows: A1 vs. B4, A2 vs. B3, A3 vs. B2 and A4 vs. B1.
 * From the eliminated teams at the quarterfinals, the loser from A1 vs. B4 competes against the loser from B1 vs. A4 for seventh place in an additional match. The remaining two loser teams compete for fifth place in an additional match.
 * The winning teams from the quarterfinals meet in the semifinals as follows: A1/B4 vs. A3/B2 and A2/B3 vs. A4/B1.
 * The winning teams from the semifinals contest the gold medal. The losing teams contest the bronze.

Tie-breaking criteria:
 * 1) Head to head results
 * 2) Goal average (not the goal difference) between the tied teams
 * 3) Goal average of the tied teams for all teams in its group

Group A


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Group B
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Classification matches
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Quarterfinals
In spite of an undefeated preliminary round, the Spaniards were defeated by the United States (3–2 in group play) to the chagrin of Spanish head coach Mario Pesquera.

Unlike their Spanish counterparts, however, the Lithuanians had an easy time disposing of the Del Harris-led Chinese squad.

Argentina, led by 13 points from both Manu Ginóbili and Fabricio Oberto, disposed of the home squad, led by the 12 points from Nikos Chatzivrettas.

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Semifinals
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Bronze Medal match
The United States won its first bronze medal since 1988 by avenging the preliminary loss to Lithuania of one week earlier.

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Gold Medal match
Argentina won its first ever Olympic gold medal in basketball and became the first Latin and Hispanic nation to obtain an Olympic gold medal in men's basketball.

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Statistical leaders
Top ten in points, rebounds and assists, and top 5 in steals and blocks.