Atlanta '96 Hardwood Glory
An in-depth analysis of the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics Men's Basketball tournament, covering its structure, participating nations, key matches, and the ultimate medal winners.
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Tournament Overview
Host and Dates
The men's basketball tournament at the 1996 Summer Olympics was a pivotal event held in Atlanta, United States. The competition spanned from July 20 to August 3, 1996, culminating in the gold medal match on August 4th.
- Host Country: United States
- Host City: Atlanta
- Dates: July 20 – August 3, 1996
- Venues: 2 (within Atlanta)
Final Standings
The tournament showcased intense competition, with the host nation ultimately claiming the top prize. The final positions were:
- Champions: United States (securing their 11th Olympic title)
- Runners-up: Yugoslavia
- Third Place: Lithuania
- Fourth Place: Australia
Key Statistics
A total of 46 games were played throughout the tournament, featuring 12 teams from 5 different confederations. A standout individual performance was delivered by Brazil's Oscar Schmidt, who led all scorers.
- Games Played: 46
- Participating Teams: 12 (from 5 confederations)
- Top Scorer: Oscar Schmidt (Brazil) with an average of 27.4 points per game.
Participating Nations
The Contenders
Twelve national teams qualified to compete for Olympic glory in Atlanta. These teams represented a diverse array of basketball powerhouses and emerging talents from across the globe, setting the stage for a memorable tournament.
Tournament Format
Structure of Play
The 1996 men's Olympic basketball tournament employed a structured format designed to narrow down the field of 12 teams to a single champion. The competition was divided into preliminary rounds, followed by a knockout stage for the top performers, and additional classification matches for ranking.
Preliminary Round: Group A
Group A Standings
Group A featured the host nation, United States, who dominated their matches. Lithuania and Croatia also performed strongly, securing their spots in the knockout stage. China advanced as the fourth qualifier, demonstrating resilience.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 522 | 345 | +177 | 10 | Quarterfinals | |
| 2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 427 | 354 | +73 | 8 | ||
| 3 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 422 | 386 | +36 | 8 | ||
| 4 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 360 | 502 | −142 | 7 | ||
| 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 351 | 396 | −45 | 7 | 9th place playoff | |
| 6 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 280 | 379 | −99 | 5 | 11th place playoff |
(H) Hosts. Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal average; 4) head-to-head number of points scored.
Notable Group A Matches
The preliminary round saw several compelling matchups, showcasing individual brilliance and team strategy. Here are a few highlights from Group A:
Preliminary Round: Group B
Group B Standings
Group B saw FR Yugoslavia emerge undefeated, showcasing their strength. Australia secured a strong second place, while Greece and Brazil also advanced to the quarterfinals, setting up exciting matchups in the knockout stage.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 478 | 364 | +114 | 10 | Quarterfinals | |
| 2 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 492 | 438 | +54 | 9 | ||
| 3 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 402 | 416 | −14 | 8 | ||
| 4 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 498 | 494 | +4 | 7 | ||
| 5 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 447 | 465 | −18 | 6 | 9th place playoff | |
| 6 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 422 | 562 | −140 | 5 | 11th place playoff |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal average; 4) head-to-head number of points scored.
Notable Group B Matches
Group B also delivered thrilling contests, with several teams battling fiercely for quarterfinal berths. The performances of key players often determined the outcome of these crucial preliminary games.
Tournament Bracket
Path to the Podium
The knockout stage of the tournament was a single-elimination bracket, where teams battled through quarterfinals and semifinals to reach the ultimate gold and bronze medal games. The intensity escalated with each round, leading to dramatic conclusions.
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Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
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