LONDRES .- El último capítulo del brillante ciclo de Argentina está por apagarse. ¿Será posible que la Generación Dorada tiene guardado aún un as sobre la manga y tumbe a las estrellas de la NBA en los Juegos de Londres?

Convertido en un clásico olímpico de la última década, la Argentina que lidera Manu Ginóbili y los Estados Unidos que encabeza LeBron James chocarán el viernes en una de las semifinales del básquetbol olímpico, mientras que España y Rusia se enfrentarán en la otra.

Será la tercera vez consecutiva que Argentina y Estados Unidos midan sus fuerzas en la antesala de una final. Los Albicelestes vencieron 89-81 en Atenas 2004 y perdieron 81-101 en Beijing 2008.

Además, Argentina le asestó a Estados Unidos otra histórica derrota cuando en el Mundial de Indianápolis 2002, en lo que fue la primera caída de los estadounidenses luego de 58 partidos internacionales y olímpicos.

"Para vencer a Estados Unidos tenemos que tener una actuación excelente, casi perfecta", dijo el técnico argentino Julio Lamas. "Estados Unidos es el único equipo que está por encima del resto".

Ambos conjuntos se enfrentaron dos veces en estos días. En la antesala de los juegos, Estados Unidos venció a duras penas 86-80 en un amistoso en Barcelona, y luego confirmó su superioridad con un 126-97 en la fase clasificatoria en Londres, aunque los primera dos cuartos fueron muy parejos.

Claro que dos cuartos no hacen a un partido entero. Y sino, que lo diga Ginóbili.

"Tenemos un 5% de posibilidades de ganar", dijo el base de los Spurs de San Antonio y a esta altura el mejor basquetbolista argentino de todos los tiempos.

Su compañero Carlos Delfino acotó ese margen de posibilidad.

"Si tenemos un uno por ciento de posibilidades de vencerles, daremos nuestro mejor esfuerzo para que suceda", indicó Delfino.

¿Y que contestó en forma indirecta el estadounidense Carmelo Anthony? "No tenemos puntos débiles", dijo.

Más realista, el técnico estadounidense Mike Krzyzewski destacó que Argentina "forma un gran equipo y además estamos hablando de dos de los mejores jugadores de la historia del baloncesto internacional como Luis Scola y Manu Ginóbili".

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  • United States' LeBron James celebrates after winning the gold medal at the men's basketball game against Spain at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

  • Members of USA's men's basketball team listen to the national anthem after winning the gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • United States' LeBron James (6) dunks against Spain during the men's gold medal basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London on Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Christian Petersen, Pool)

  • United States' Kevin Durant celebrates after the men's gold medal basketball game against Spain at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in London. USA won 107-100. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

  • United States' Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul celebrate after the men's gold medal basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in London. USA won 107-100. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Argentina's Manu Ginobili reacts during the men's bronze medal basketball game against Russia at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in London. Russia won 81-77. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

  • Russia's Andrei Kirilenko is congratulated by Argentina's Manu Ginobili following the men's bronze medal basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

  • Manu Ginobili, Andrei Kirilenko

    Argentina's Manu Ginobili, right, drives to the basket against Russia's Andrei Kirilenko, center, during the men's bronze medal basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, pool)

  • Teammates try and help Argentina's Manu Ginobili up after being hurt during a men's bronze medal basketball game against Russia at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in London. Ginobili stayed in the game. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Argentina's forward Andres Nocioni, left, and Luis Scola, center, challenge United States' Tyson Chandler during a men's semifinal basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics on Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Mark Ralston, Pool)

  • Argentina's Manu Ginobili falls to the ground during the men's bronze medal basketball game against Russia at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

  • Manu Ginobili, Luis Scola,Tyson Chandler

    Argentina's Manu Ginobili, front, scores as teammate Argentina's Luis Scola, left, and United States' Tyson Chandler, right, look on during a semifinal men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, pool)

  • Carmelo Anthony

    Argentina's Juan Gutierrez (9) shoots over Carmelo Anthony (15) of the United States during a men's semifinal basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics on Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Sergio Perez, Pool)

  • United States' guard Chris Paul, left, and Anthony Davis, right, challenge Argentina's forward Facundo Campazzo, center, as he jumps to score during a men's semifinal basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics on Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Mark Ralston, Pool)

  • Pau Gasol, Sasha Kaun

    Spain's Pau Gasol, right, slam dunks the ball to score over Russia's Sasha Kaun, left, during a semifinal men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, pool)

  • Vitaliy Fridzon, Pau Gasol, Felipe Reyes

    Spain's Pau Gasol (4) and teammate Felipe Reyes (9) celebrate their win over Russia in a semifinal men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, in London. Russia's Vitaliy Fridzon is at right.(AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Russia's forward Andrei Kirilenko, left, challenges Spain's guard Fernando San Emeterio during a men's semifinal basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics on Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Mark Ralston, Pool)

  • Serge Ibaka (14) of Spain goes up for a shot over Andrey Kirilenko (15) of Russia during a men's basketball semifinal match at the 2012 Summer Olympics on Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Christian Petersen, Pool)

  • Carmelo Anthony, center, of the United States shoot against Australia during a men's quarterfinal basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Sergio Perez, Pool)

  • Alexander Kaun (8) of Russia dunks the ball while taking on Spain during a men's basketball semifinal game at the 2012 Summer Olympics on Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Christian Petersen, Pool)

  • LeBron James

  • Olympics Day 2 - Basketball

    LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 29: Pau Gasol #4 of Spain dunks the ball against China during their Men's Basketball Game on Day 2 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Basketball Arena on July 29, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

  • Alex Garcia (8) of Brazil goes up for a dunk during a men's quarterfinal basketball game against Argentina at the 2012 Summer Olympics on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Christian Petersen, Pool)

  • Brazil's center Tiago Splitter tries to score past Argentina's players during a men's quarterfinal basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Mark Ralston, Pool)

  • Argentina's forward Hernan Jasen, right, challenges Brazil's guard Leandrinho Barbosa during a men's quarterfinal basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Mark Ralston, Pool)

  • Australia's Aron Baynes, center, dunks against the United States during a men's quarterfinal basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Sergio Perez, Pool)

  • United States' Russell Westbrook slams a dunk during a quarterfinal men's basketball game against Australia at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

  • United States' Kobe Bryant, right, and Australia's Matt Dellavedova, left, scramble for the ball during a quarterfinal men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

  • United States' Kobe Bryant drives the ball during a preliminary basketball match against Argentina at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

  • Argentina's Juan Gutierrez reacts during a preliminary men's basketball game against United States at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 6, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

  • Lebron James, Andre Iguodala

    USA's Lebron James, left, and USA's Andre Iguodala, right, celebrate during a preliminary men's basketball game against Lithuania at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Yi Jianlian, Nene Hillario

    Brazil's Nene Hilario, left, tries to block China's Yi Jianlian on a drive to the basket during a men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

  • Lebron James

    USA's Lebron James (6) signals after scoring with a three point basket during a preliminary men's basketball game against Lithuania at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Ding Jinhui, Tiago Splitter

    Brazil's Tiago Splitter slams dunk over China's Ding Jinhui during a men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

  • Lebron James, Renaldas Seibutis

    USA's Lebron James (6) works the ball past Lithuania's Renaldas Seibutis during a preliminary men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Kevin Durant, Amine Rzig

  • Kevin Durant, Makram Ben Romdhane

    USA's Kevin Durant, left, drives to the basket against Tunisia's Makram Ben Romdhane, right, during a men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 31, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

  • Russell Westbrook, Mourad El Mabrouk

    USA's Russell Westbrook, center, drives to the basket against Tunisia's Mourad El Mabrouk, left, during a men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 31, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

  • Manu Ginobili, Ali Traore, Nando de Colo

    Argentina's Manu Ginobili, center, threads between France's Ali Traore, left, and Nando de Colo on a drive to the basket during a men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 31, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

  • Manu Ginobili, Kevin Seraphin, Mickael Gelabale

    Argentina's Manu Ginobili (5) drives to the basket between France defenders Kevin Seraphin (4) and Mickael Gelabale during the first half of a preliminary men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 31, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Ronny Turiaf, Manu Ginobili

    Argentina's Manu Ginobili (5) drives to the basket against France's Ronny Turiaf, left, during the first half of a preliminary men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 31, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Luol Deng, Anderson Varejao, Nene Hilario

    Britain's Luol Deng, center, drives to the basket between Brazil's Nene Hilario, right, and Brazil's Anderson Varejao, left, during a basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 31, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

  • Ike Diogu, Linas Kleiza

    Nigeria's Ike Diogu, right, drives to the basket against Lithuania's Linas Kleiza during a men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 31, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

  • US forward LeBron James cries before th

    US forward LeBron James cries before the Men's Preliminary Round Group B match Spain vs China at the London 2012 Olympic Games , on July 29, 2012 in London. AFP PHOTO / MARK RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Olympics Day 2 - Basketball

    LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 29: Nando De Colo #12 of France moves the ball against the United States in the Men's Basketball Game on Day 2 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Basketball Arena on July 29, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

  • Olympics Day 2 - Basketball

    LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 29: Ronny Turiaf #14 of France goes after a loose ball against Carmelo Anthony #15 of United States in the Men's Basketball Game on Day 2 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Basketball Arena on July 29, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Argentina entró en semifinales al vencer 82-77 a su otro gran enemigo que es Brasil.


Por cuestiones de edad o personales, Londres podría ser la última presentación colectiva de la Generación Dorada, entre ellos Ginóbili y Scola, la más exitosa en la historia del baloncesto argentino.


Entre sus logros más destacados, esa Generación no solo embolsó el oro y el bronce olímpico sino también el subcampeonato en Indianápolis 2002.


La otra semifinal será protagonizada por Rusia y España, que doblegaron 83-74 a Lituania y 66-59 a Francia, respectivamente.


Comandada por Paul Gasol, España fue medallista de plata en Beijing 2008.