Argentina rubs its fingers against its presence in the World Cup next summer, which will be held between Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan from August 25 to September 10, but he has not yet secured it. Seven teams travel to Asia from the American zone: the first three from each of the two groups and the best fourth… and, at the moment, the Albiceleste occupies the fourth position in group A with a balance of 8-3. It is the same as that of Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, second and third, respectively. Brazil is fourth in B with 7 wins in 11 games.
That is to say, the Argentines almost have the ticket in their hands, but a bad step in the last game of the last day of the qualifying Windows against Dominican Republic, which takes place this morning from Sunday to Monday in Spain (01:10)it can be a death sentence for the team that fell against Spain in the final of China 2019.
Due to the uneasiness of knowing that they are so close, but at the same time so far away, three key figures from the team that won the Americup this summer have enlisted under the orders of Pablo Prigioni despite the great effort that it entails. Facundo Campazzo, Gabriel Deck and Nicolás Laprovittola will be available for the final duel. The first was already in the victory against Canada on Thursday (83-72). The Red Star point guard was vital with 13 points and 11 assists for a PIR of 18.
His presence was more simple than that of his other two compatriots. He Facu He cannot be registered until this Wednesday, March 1, in the Euroleague due to the sanction imposed on his current club by the financial panel of the highest continental competition. Deck and Laprovittola did play this week’s day in the European tournament. The Madrid forward played 20:32 in the resounding white victory against Zalgiris (96-69) this Thursday. He made 12 points. For his part, the Barcelona point guard closed his work on Friday with 5 goals and 3 assists in Barca’s victory against AS Monaco (80-70) at the Palau Blaugrana. He was on the track 17:22.
At the end of their meetings, both headed for their country, to Mar del Plata. A trip of more than 20,000 kilometers between the round trip to be at the Islas Malvinas sports center and try to give victory to Argentina to certify their presence at the next World Cup event. “What stands out the most is the commitment of these players who travel many hours, who recently played for their clubs, some making enormous sacrifices and suffering difficult personal situations, and still wanting to be there,” said coach Pablo Prigioni.
Other cases
The lightning trips of Laprovittola and Deck have not been a rare sight in this last Qualifying Window. Tornike Shengelia, center of Virtus Bologna, is going to play three games in three different countries in four days to try to help Georgia: Netherlands on Thursday; Italy against Baskonia with Virtus on Friday and this Sunday in their country against Iceland. His case is like the Argentine and a victory will give Georgia the pass to Asia.
Walter Tavares will cover 16,000 kilometers to fight with Cape Verde in Angola for their place in the World Cup. The Madrid center has paid for the ticket to the African country out of his own pocket. His effort can be fundamental: despite the loss against Angola (80-67) despite his 11 points and 15 rebounds for a PIR of 23, his team is only one win away from being in Asia. If he beats the Ivory Coast this Sunday (3:30 p.m. Spanish time) he will play the World Cup. If they lose and Nigeria win, they’re out.
If both fall, Cape Verde will close the qualifying phase as third and a balance of 5-5, the same as the best third party in the other group no matter what: Senegal and Tunisia have two more games, but they are not counted. In the latter case, the last African banknote will be decided by the average general, which at the moment is like this: +20 for Cape Verde; +26 for Tunisia; and +52 for Senegal).