The South American tournament host and favorite Brazil started their reign with an EASY win over Bolivia in Rio di Janiero 56-21. In reality, Brazil was going to advance from Goup A, but the second seed was wide open. Venezuela scored 6 points to end the game against Uruguay in Recife, to win by 3. Argentina was Brazil’s biggest rival, and also a tournament contender. They beat Ecuador by 13 in Curitiba. Chile and Peru was the last game in round 1, with the Peruvians prevailing 35-31 in Londrina.
Brazil had a match up against Venezuela, in which Brazil’s fans from Belo Horizonte came out in full force handing Venezuela their first loss in the group. Brasilia was the host of Uruguay-Bolivia, with Uruguay’s Suarez scoring 20 in route to a win. Peru was in over their head against Argentina in Manaus, Argentina’s 11th ranking in the world was on display beating Peru by 16. Chile and Ecuador was a good match up on paper, and Ecuador gave Chile their second loss in Sao Paulo.
Brazil and Uruguay had the two neighbors matched up, Brazil had already advanced, but a win by Uruguay and some help by Bolivia would send them to the knockouts. But the 10th best team in the world knocked the Uruguans out with a strong performance by Carvahlo in Recife. Venezuela sent Bolivia home officially with a defeat in Londrina. Argentina and Chile were playing for nothing, as their fates were decided. Argentina didn’t play their starters, and they beat the Chileans by 12 in Belo Horizonte. The real match up came with Peru and Ecuador with the winner going to the knockout round. Peru sent the fans in Curitiba mental with a shot at the buzzer from the 2 point line to win by 1 and advance.
Brazil’s first knockout game was in Brasilia against Peru. The Peruvian’s momentum didn’t last as Brazil won by 14. Argentina and Venezuela matched up in Rio di Janiero with the 11th ranked team prevailing to advance to the finals. The anticipated match up was realized in the finals. The Brazilians were the favorites in Sao Paulo, but the Argentine fans traveled well. The Brazilians led by 5, the largest of the game, heading into the half. Sergio Rodriguez led the Argentine team back, and scored 8 in the final frame leading the Argentine team to victory.
Qualified teams
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