The revenge of 'Che' García: from his controversial departure from the Argentine National Team to leaving it without a World Cup after more than four decades

When Nicolás Laprovíttola missed the last long distance attempt of the night, to try to maintain a light of hope for the Argentine basketball team, and Andrés Feliz took the rebound in the painted zone that not only gave him the victory of the Dominican Republic against Argentina in Mar del Plata but also qualifying for the next World Cup, Néstor el Che García raised his arms and began to jump, to one side of the playing field.

There were a little more than 6 seconds left on the clock, but history was doomed, although surely that was not the only reason why the Argentine coach did not save anything in the celebrations.

It is that six months after his departure from the Albiceleste team, produced in the middle of a short circuit with the players, he eliminated his former managers, no less than as a visitor, from the appointment that will be held between August and September of this year in the Philippines , Japan and Indonesia, and ended Argentina's 41-year streak of uninterrupted participation in a World Cup.

While the Dominican players embraced inside the rectangle, García did the same with his work team.

His wide smile only paused when Pablo Prigioni, his successor in Argentina, greeted him.

Che, nobility oblige, returned the gesture with respect.

Then came the most effusive part of his celebration.

The 58-year-old coach from Bahia once again raised his arms to the sky at the same Islas Malvinas Sports Center where he had imagined obtaining the same achievement tonight, but with the Argentine National Team.

And he again he smiled.

And he was lifted on a litter by the Dominican players, who surrounded him as a thank you.

On the other side, the wearers of the albiceleste shirts only emanated sadness.

García, one of the most controversial coaches in the National Team in recent years and now the executioner of the last members of the Golden Generation who still defend Argentina, trotted out of the stadium, giving the spotlight to the Dominican basketball players who achieved a 79- 75 historical for the sport in this part of the planet. 

News in development.

IS

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