After eliminating Spain, the Chinese Team faced the Serbia Team again in the semifinals.
Chinese fans harbored hope, feeling that the Chinese Team had a chance in this match.
They discussed fervently online, filled with anticipation: "Maybe this time we can create a miracle and defeat Serbia!"
"Yeah, the national team is in pretty good form this year, there’s a chance!"
However, the Serbia Team overwhelmed the Chinese Men’s Basketball Team with a team coordination as perfect as a surging tide.
The final score was settled at 96 to 76, with the Chinese Men’s Basketball Team losing by as much as 20 points.
Zeng Xingyang played like a lone hero, scoring 48 points, but was helpless in the face of the overwhelming opponents.
Under Jokic’s leadership, the Serbia Team had already become a formidable force capable of challenging Team USA.
Their overall strength was like a towering mountain, completely suppressing the Chinese Men’s Basketball Team. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel·fire·net
After the game, Jokic had a smile on his face as he approached and hugged Zeng Xingyang, saying, "Zeng, keep pushing forward. Your basketball journey is still long."
From Jokic’s perspective, if it weren’t for Zeng Xingyang’s strong presence, the Serbia Team could have easily defeated the Chinese Team by 40 or 50 points.
Zeng Xingyang was full of unwillingness in his heart, but with no other recourse, he could only say: "I believe the future will be better."
With Da Yao about to take office, Zeng Xingyang planned to share some of his thoughts with him, hoping he might attempt to make changes.
After all, sometimes, some matters have transcended basketball itself and cannot be easily changed by individuals; one can only do their best, with a clear conscience.
Despite losing the match to compete for the gold medal, the Chinese Team still had hope in the bronze medal match.
The team competing against the Chinese Team for the bronze was the Argentina Team.
The Argentina Men’s Basketball Team was built around the "Golden Generation," combining rich experience with coordinated teamwork. However, the aging structure and decline in athletic ability had also become a significant shortcoming for the team.
Ginobili (39 years old), as the soul of the team, averaged 15.8 points and 5.8 assists. With his extraordinary passing creativity and ability to make clutch plays, he steadily supported the team’s offense. During the group stage, his plus-minus was as high as +24, the best on the team.
Scola (36 years old) was the pillar of the team’s interior, averaging 14.8 points and 8.3 rebounds. His exquisite low-post skills and vast experience made him a stable scoring point for the team.
Delphino (34 years old), this veteran from the outside, provided strong support for the team with his outstanding three-point threat and solid defensive experience.
Noceioni (36 years old)...
The Argentina Team continued their traditional style of team basketball, constantly creating scoring opportunities through high-post plays, off-ball movements, and quick ball distribution.
The pick-and-roll collaboration between Ginobili and Scola remained the core tactic of the team, further supplemented by Noceioni’s cuts and Delphino’s spot-up shooting, forming a smooth and efficient offensive system.
This core lineup of players had been cooperating for over a decade, having won the championship at the 2004 Athens Olympics, with extremely rich tournament experience.
On August 22nd, at 4 PM, the bronze medal match officially commenced.
The starting lineup for the Argentina Team was: Campazzo, Ginobili, Delphino, Noceioni, and Scola.
The starting lineup for the Chinese Team was: Zeng Xingyang, Zhao Jiwei, Xiao Ding, Ah Lian, and Zhou Qi.
Seeing Ginobili across the court, Zeng Xingyang felt a surge of discomfort.
After all, the Spurs Team was the one that eliminated the Nuggets Team. At this moment, he silently vowed that even if he had to grit his teeth, he would defeat this old guy tonight.
"This year there’s hope against Argentina." A fan confidently commented online.
"Damn, Serbia is too strong, they are truly the pinnacle of European team basketball. By comparison, there’s still a chance to beat the Argentina Team." Another fan remarked.
"Argentina’s lineup is too old, our Men’s Basketball Team needs to push forward, come on, we can win." Another fan shouted.
"Come on, come on, even getting a bronze medal is not bad!" Chinese fans cheered and encouraged on the internet, filled with expectations for the Men’s Basketball Team.
At this point, as the Olympics were nearing their end, the number of medals for the Chinese delegation was basically settled.
Before the Olympics began, no one had even considered that the Men’s Basketball event would have a hope for medals.
But now, a real opportunity was presented in front of them. The sidelines were also filled with athletes and support staff who had come to cheer and encourage the Men’s Basketball Team, their eyes full of expectation.
The game started quickly.
Scola and Zhou Qi stood at the center circle, ready for the jump ball. Zhou Qi jumped high, precisely tapping the ball to Xiao Ding.
Xiao Ding swiftly passed the ball to Zeng Xingyang.
Seeing this, Campazzo, like a black lightning, quickly went up to defend.
Campazzo was a typical representative of short point guards, with average physique but outstanding organizing talent.
Zeng Xingyang steadily used his body to back him up, dribbling slowly towards the frontcourt.
Campazzo attempted to find an opportunity to steal the ball from Zeng Xingyang but was suppressed by Zeng Xingyang’s strong power, unable to move.
Zeng Xingyang reached the right side of the free-throw line, opting not to pass the ball, but decisively turned, gathered the ball, and jumped high for a shot.
This series of movements flowed smoothly; Campazzo tried hard to defend, but it was like an ant trying to shake a giant tree, to no avail.
"Swish!" The basketball went through the hoop flawlessly, 2-0.
Zeng Xingyang played against Campazzo with the ease of an adult playing a child, as Campazzo’s defensive intensity couldn’t bring much pressure to him.
This goal was magnificent, and the scene immediately erupted with thunderous cheers and warm applause.
Some Chinese fans were so excited that their faces turned red, standing up, waving flags, and cheering loudly.
However, this was South America, after all, and quite a few fans had come from Argentina, their cheers mingled with those of the Chinese basketball fans, creating a balanced atmosphere.
Campazzo felt helpless and distressed as he defended Zeng Xingyang.
He had no idea what to do, having clearly defended tightly, yet Zeng Xingyang still made an effortless shot, leaving him speechless.
Ginobili walked over to Campazzo and softly said, "I’ll guard him later."
Ginobili knew full well how difficult Zeng Xingyang was to defend. When at the Spurs, it was only because of Leonard that they could somewhat limit Zeng Xingyang.
But the Argentina Team didn’t have a player like Leonard; with these aging players, Zeng Xingyang could easily break them down cleanly.
Campazzo felt the difficulty of dealing with Zeng Xingyang in the first play and quickly nodded in agreement.
The power Zeng Xingyang displayed on the court was too strong, beyond what he could handle.