“They reached for the impossible and became the pride of a nation.”
With those words, the Argentine men’s national basketball team that won the gold medal in the Athens 2004 Olympics confirmed their return for a final tribute game on November 2.
Twenty years on from their historic achievement, the champions confirmed a special celebration game of the gold medal with an unprecedented match, set to take place at Parque Roca, a multi-event venue in southern Buenos Aires City.
The plan was first announced through a video that went viral on social media, where team members and coach Ruben Magnano confirmed their presence via a WhatsApp group chat. Then
The announcement also said that important figures in Argentine sports, musical artists, and the streaming world will attend.
The team — which included Manu Ginóbili, Luis Scola, Fabricio Oberto, and Andrés Nocioni — made history in Athens when they became the first and so far only team to beat the United States in the Olympics since it started fielding NBA players in 1992.
Argentina’s 89-81 win in the semifinal against the United States was a shock at the time. Ginóbili scored 29 points in that game and was named an NBA All-Star the following year. In the final, the team comfortably defeated Italy by 84-69 and won the gold medal.
“It’s fabulous, almost incredible, that this really happened to us! Chills seeing these images 20 years later!” said Ginóbili on X after the November game was confirmed. “I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone! Thanks for the well wishes.”
Tickets for the tribute game will be available through Enigma Tickets: presale tickets will be available on September 2 at 4 p.m. and then open to the general public as of September 3. Banco Nación members have a 15% discount and can pay in six interest-free installments. Tickets range from AR$45,000 (US$45 at the official rate, US$35 at the MEP rate) to AR$250,000 (US$256 at the official rate, US$194 at the MEP rate).
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