WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP JAPAN 2006
The honours list of the Japan World Championship fished like this. The four unbeaten teams from
the first round took the first four places in Saitama. There was also a selection of the best five of
the tournament made up of Theo Papaloukas (guard), Manu Ginobili (guard), Carmelo Anthony
(forward), Jorge Garbajosa (centre) y Pau Gasol (centre). The result also pushed Spain up the FIBA
ranking from fifth to third, behind USA and Argentina.The tournament also highlighted other
aspects, such as the good performance of African basketball who managed to get two of their
three teams into the last sixteen (Nigeria and Angola, Germany needed 3 periods of overtime at
47 points from Nowitzki to beat the former 108-103). It was the time for celebrations and confetti,
the song “We are the Champions” belonged to Spain. Once again the tears of joy, those of lifting
the Naismith Trophy, and those of sadness from the Spanish coach Pepu Hernandez who received
the trophy in a very emotional state, hours before the final he had been told of the death of his
father in Madrid but had asked that the news be kept under wraps, especially from the players.
Another gesture, another great way to live the final that took Spain to the pinnacle of Basketball.
Champions and worthy winners of a gold medal that will be put into play again in Turkey. We can't
wait.
257
FUNDACIÓN PEDRO FERRÁNDIZ