It was a summer night. Nearly 30 degrees and a light breeze pacing near the coast of Mar del Plata. However, the temperature inside the sports center seemed to be much higher. One of the main reasons was the crowd’s heat that filled the stands, which did not stop cheering at any time. That is, it was not to perform less Argentine national teamwho played one for three of four quarters and one of his best games of the season FIBA Americas Qualifiers. And so on beat CanadaWho submitted to the country undefeated and without NBA players, with a score of 83-72 and was one step away from qualifying for the next World Cup in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines.

If Argentina showed its most beautiful team in the eleventh date of the second stage of this tournament, it is largely due to the presence of Facundo Campazzo. Since a point guard from Cordoba could not participate in the Euroleague, he left Serbia and came to the country to guide Prigioni’s team. To lead the national team based on his role as a leader and playmaker. And he got tired not only of handing out assists (12) and scoring points (13), but also of the most applauding applause.

But beyond the fact that Campazzo’s magic happened in the opposite ring, the key to victory once again rested on iron defense. In fact, in the second quarter, he barely allowed Canada to score 13 points. On the field, the most notable were Juan Pablo Follett, who had already established himself as an ideal player in the starting lineup, and Patricio Garino.

In addition, the selection had an effective rotation from the substitute bench. The coach found solutions with shots from around Carlos Delfino and with some good minutes from Juan Fernandez.

Argentina withdrew from suffering during part of the last period, but with success and in communion with the people and with the first step taken. In this way, the team will attempt to complete the goal on Sunday, at 9:10 p.m., against the Dominican Republic. A goal is just one step away. will you do that?