Mar del Plata has had a very good week.
Not only was it named as the host city for next year’s FIBA Americas Championship, its team, Peñarol, capped a magnificent campaign with a Liga Nacional title triumph over Atenas de Córdoba on Tuesday.
Peñarol, who are led by Argentina’s national team coach Sergio Hernandez, earlier this season won the FIBA Americas League for the second time in three years.
With their team crowned champions in Argentina, the good people of Mar del Plata can now revisit the big announcement at the weekend that saw their city named as hosts of the FIBA Americas Championship, an Olympic qualifying tournament that will allow fans to see the country’s golden generation wear the national team shirt for perhaps the last time.
Argentina’s two most famous players have spoken about the opportunity to play in front of their home supporters.
One was Houston Rockets forward Luis Scola.
“Ten years on and we will officially return to play in Argentina!” said Scola, a member of the Argentina side that finished runners-up at the 2002 FIBA World Championship in Indianapolis and a key player two years later when Argentina captured an Olympic gold medal in Athens.
“It’s a real joy!”
San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili also ‘Tweeted’ about the news.
He said: “Argentina host of the Pre-Olympic tournament 2011!!!! We will be there in Mar del Plata! What a joy!!!!. Yes, I will be there.”
Scola will lead the Argentinians this summer when they put their number one spot in the FIBA World Rankings to the test in Turkey.
Argentina will compete at the FIBA World Championship in Group A against Serbia, Australia, Germany, Angola and Iran.
