In the semi-finals competition stiffened. In the same group were now the U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R., neither of whom had so far been fully extended. But first the other group. Here only one match was won by a handsome margin; in none of the others was the winner more than 9 points ahead. Uruguay played two heated, furious matches, losing by two The basketball matches were played in two different arenas: the eliminating matches and points to France with only three Uruguayans on the court when the match ended. The the opening round of the tournament in the Tennis Palace in the heart of the city, where referee had to be carried to a dressing room after a regrettable scene. The other ended in two courts had been available for practice, and the semi-finals and finals in Messuhalli II, Uruguay's favour, Argentine, who had played the best basketball in the first round, losing adjacent to the Olympic Stadium. by one point. Bulgaria's awkward style seemed to keep France puzzled, with the result Dressing rooms, showers and the practice courts made the Tennis Palace a very good that she failed to make the top final group. The French players were curiously slack in venue, but unfortunately there was little space for the public. In Messuhalli II, again, the this match. Argentine defeated France by nine goals and Uruguay Bulgaria by eight. In barriers of the spectator stands at the two ends were perilously close to the play-area. The her match with Bulgaria Argentine piled up 100 goals. In the other semi-final group the F.I.B.A. nevertheless sanctioned its use, and what danger there may have been was averted greatest interest centred on the match between the U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R. It failed to by padding the barriers. In all other respects the hall made an admirable venue. come up to expectations and ended 86—58 in the U.S.A.'s favour. In her match with Of the 23 countries entered for the event 10 were admitted direct to the tournament on Brazil the U.S.S.R. showed better form and won 54—49. Brazil's failure to reach the top the grounds of previous performance. The remaining 13, by order of the F.I.B.A., played final group was of the narrowest; even the U.S.A. did no better against her than 57 53. eliminating matches to decide which six of them were to join the seeded teams in the tourna­ Clearly the weakest in this group was Chile. ment. The ten seeded countries were the first six in the London Games, viz., the U.S.A., In the final for places 1—4 were thus the U.S.A., the U.S.S.R., Uruguay and Argentine. France, Brazil, Mexico, Uruguay and Chile, the 1950 World Champion Argentine, the 1951 The U.S.A and Argentine played a fine match, which was only decided in the last few minutes. European Champion the U.S.S.R. and the runner-up Czechoslovakia, and the host country The Americans, although playing without substitutes, managed by a last concerted effort Finland. The countries ordered to play eliminating matches were divided into three groups, to finish up 9 goals ahead. The U.S.S.R. in her match with Uruguay kept steady even when the best two in each group qualifying for the tournament. play was at its hottest and won, though by four goals only. For the tournament four groups of four teams were formed in such a way that in each When Argentine and Uruguay met again in the match for third place the Argentinians group there were two seeded teams. The best two in London and the World and European were obviously tired. Nevertheless, they fought magnificently, and Uruguay's winning Champions were put into different groups. The teams placed 3—6 in London were allocated margin was a bit too big. It was a dramatic match. Ten minutes before the end, with to different groups by lot. The remaining eight teams were lotted without further selection. Uruguay leading, five faults put one more Uruguayan out of play, leaving only four. Argen­ The best two in each of these first-round groups went on to the semi-finals in two groups tine then started to draw level. But when the whistle sounded Argentine was down to of four. The best two in each semi-final group went on to the finals for placings 1—4, three players and the score stood at 68—59 against her. This match, too, had its piquant leaving the two weakest in each to compete for placings 5—8. Neither of these final groups moments of temperamental display. The Gold Medal match was a very tame affair. Apparently resigned to certain defeat played a quadrangular series as had been the case in the first round and the semi-finals. In the top group the winners of the first two matches met to decide places 1—2 and the the U.S.S.R. resorted to slowing-down tactics, hanging on to the ball. The U.S.A. started losers places 3—4. The lower group competed in the same way for places 5—6 and 7—8. out in earnest but then went on to play the same kind of game. Scoring was slow and the The eliminating matches were easily decided. Already at this stage play was of a high desired narrow margin was achieved. The spectators were mightily disappointed. standard. Surprisingly, Italy was among the eliminated. Really magnificent play was seen The matches for placings 5-6 and 7-8 both ended contrary to expectations. France in the first round of the tournament. Some of the matches were possibly the best in the seemed altogether paralyzed and lost again to Bulgaria who, equally weary, was far from whole tournament. Unforgettable were Canada's two decisive matches. playing well. France thus finished in eighth place. Brazil had previously beaten Chile 75—44, but now lost 58—49- Fatigue, and possibly disappointment, had taken the edge In Group I the U.S.A. and Uruguay were in every way superior to Hungary and Czecho­ off Brazil's game. Chile, for her part, strove valiantly and was rewarded with fifth place. slovakia. Best in Group II was the U.S.S.R. Bulgaria took Mexico by surprise and qualified The U.S.A. again won the Gold Medal, and one of her players. Bob Kurland, his second. to continue. The best group was Group III. Here Canada lost to Argentine 82—81 and Her team included men so tall that their height was definitely an asset, but shorter players to Brazil 57—55 after a superb display of youthful keenness under their captain Phibbs. Both matches were broadcast in their entirety to South America, and well they were worth it. as well. Her best qualities were technical skill and effective team-work. The U.S.S.R. game now lacked the speed and temperament that had been so much m evidence at the Tiring, Canada lost also to the Philippines, whom two other teams clearly outclassed. In European Championships in Paris. These had given way to coolness, utmost accuracy Group IV France and Chile won easily over Egypt. France defeated Cuba 58—42, but and sureness. The opinion was fairly general that Argentine was absolutely m the same Chile had to fight hard to end up a single point ahead. 672 4, 673 Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library BASKETBALL COMMITTEE President N. TAMMISALO Secretary R. WEURO Members: V. DILLEMUTH V. HAKOLA J. KYKKÀNEN P. SALMI TECHNICAL COMMITTEE R. WILLIAM JONES, Great Britain F. HEPP, Hungary A. dos REIS CARNEIRO, Brazil R. WEURO, Finland TECHNICAL DELEGATES D. SCHMULL, Holland E. BIGOT, Belffu/n Previous Olympic Winners 1936 U.S.A. 1948 U.S.A. There were 317 entries from 23 nations and 301 participants from 23 nations PRELIMINARY ROUNDS July 14th — July 18 th Group A Cuba — Belgium 59—51 (31—28) Bulgaria — Switzerland 69—58 (jo—22) The decisive match between the U.S.yl. and the U.S.S.R. in the Messuhalli. Belgium — Switzerland 59—49 (33—25) Bulgaria — Cuba 62—56 (29 30) Cuba — Belgium 71—63 (42—34) class as the two leading countries. Canada, Brazil and Uruguay played the kind of game Group B that makes basketball fascinating. Hungary — Greece 75 38 (37 21) Philippines —• Israel 57 47 (29 27) On the whole the refereeing was good and competent. Certain referees who had not Greece — Israel 54—52 (27—55) philippines — Hungary 48—35 (26—19) done well were permitted to continue up to the finals and so give grounds for criticism. Hungary — Greece 47 44 (31 23) The officials who carried out all other duties in connexion with the matches were recruited Group C from among active Finnish basketball players, and once the first stiffness had worn off Canada — Italy 68—57 (35—25) Egypt — Turkey 64—45 (27—18) everything functioned smoothly. Canada — 'Rumania 72—51 (28—21) Youth's own sport, basketball, was a success at the Games. Italy — Turkey 49—37 (24—16) Italy — Rumania 53—39 26) Canada — Egypt 63—57 (38—31) Egypt — Italy 66—62 (25—27) 67^ 674 Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library OLYMPIC TOURNAMENT SEMI-FINALS July 25 th — July 27th July 28tli — July 30th Group 1 M W L G* Pts. Group A M W L G Pts.