Having recently faced their opponents in a pre-tournament warm-up match in Las Vegas, the Boomers had been fortunate to have had a glimpse of Argentina’s game tactics and form, but that had been a tight game, one that had been won by the Aussies on the buzzer.  The Boomers were clearly not going to let that happen again and were desperate to progress comfortably to the semi-finals, which they did 97-59. 

“I thought that the guys all the way through have been growing in the way that we want to play and each game that we have been fortunate that we have been in this, and we have been growing to stay alive,” coach Brian Goorjian said. 

“Off the last game, there was a cut down on turn overs, our defence, our defensive rotations, our ball movement, player movement and in a style that they are comfortable with, they know and understand that that’s what we have got to do to win.  

“I thought tonight, that again was the trademark. We beat a very good team so we’re continuing to progress, and it was a good performance tonight.” 

Continuing to improve with every game, Australia opened the match with incredible energy and were quick to get the first scoring opportunity, Matthew Dellavedova putting up a textbook three-point shot.   

Argentina, however, were not going to let the Boomers run away with the game early and responded quickly, getting four points on the board, and keeping the Australians on their toes. But the Boomers kept the pressure on, and good ball movement provided plenty of chance, but missed three shots in a row and gave Argentina early opportunities to maintain their lead.  

Nic Kay was a highlight for the Boomers early in the match, good defensively and keeping the Australians in touch at both ends of the court, Argentina lifting before a scoring rush pushed the Boomers to focus on their defence and respond to being four points down at the first break, 18-22. 

Coming out hard in the second quarter, Joe Ingles and Chris Goulding teamed up for some big threes, Goulding’s trademark shot with the sidestep to tie the score at 24-24. The tie seemed to shift the momentum to the Boomers, the confident side beginning to dominate at both ends, and the incredible defensive effort began to make life miserable for Argentina. 

Patty Mills added to the Boomers tally, a fast breakaway pass from Matisse Thybulle giving the Boomers the lead before Ingles, Mills and Dellavedova all sunk baskets, the score 39-33 at half time.  

Argentina seemed to be in a scramble in the second half, Australia’s defence proving to very strong while at the opposite end of the court the Boomers’ scoring continued. Jock Landale shooting a stunning three-pointer from the corner before Dante Exum went coast to coast with a two-point shot on the buzzer and Boomers were up by 12 at last break.  

The final quarter made a clear statement about the Boomers intentions of going all the way to a medal match. Australia didn’t ease up on their energy or intensity and returned to the court in the final period with a stunning 19-0 scoring run, Dante Exum with an explosive dunk, in a three on one scenario. 

Argentina became clearly frustrated by taking more than five minutes to score in the last quarter and the game became more physical. Argentina received a technical foul as a result of a heavy shove against Chris Goulding, and Australia had taken clear control of the game and put 37 to 11 points on the board in the final term to seal the win.   

However, on the edge of their incredible 38-point victory, there was an incredible display of sportsmanship from the Boomers with 51 seconds left on the clock.  

Argentinian basketball legend and five-time Olympian Luis Scola checked out of the game and walked off the court for what would likely be his last international game to a standing ovation from not only his teammates, but also the Australian players and staff. Pausing to recognise the departure of one of the games greats, was a beautiful moment of respect. 

Patty Mills was again the highest scorer for the Boomers with 18 points and four assists, with Jock Landale and Matisse Thybulle with 12 points each.  

“For us to be able to be the best, we have to be able to beat the best and we have an opportunity in front of us right now to be able to take that step, the next step,” Mills said post game. 

“The focus is still there and there is only one thing that we are focused on, so we just have to get it done. I think tonight’s performance was a result of the belief in each individual on our team and how everyone has an impact fo the better of the group here and you saw that tonight.  

“We believe we can continue to grow from this and continue to get better, but the biggest thing is you saw the result of how tight this group is and how tight we believe in one anything and we are going to need to continue that moving forward.  

“The message to the boys and to the team after is that we are back where we wanted to be, and it’s been a long couple of years to get back to this point but the message to the team is we haven’t done anything yet,” Mills added. 

The Australian Boomers walked away with a spot in the semi-finals, where they will face basketball powerhouse USA on Thursday 5 August at 2:15pm AEST.  

Shannon Knaus