Press TV - The national Iranian basketball team has lost its first match 81-71 to Olympic champion Argentina in the Diamond Cup opener in China.

Iran's Hamed Haddadi scored 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the first quarter, which ended in a 24-24 draw. Samad Nikkhah Bahrami and Javad Davari scored 18 and 14 points respectively for the Asian champion, preparing for the Beijing Olympic Games.

However, Argentina managed a 42-35 lead in the first half and 62-52 after three quarters.

Argentina was unsuccessful in widening the 10-point gap in the fourth quarter, which finished 19-19.

"This is a young team. We need more time to be mature. I didn't expect a pretty Olympic result from this team. Maybe you will see a better Iran team at the 2012 London Games," Iran's head coach Rajko Toroman said.

In another Tuesday match, China beat Angola 83-74.

Iran and Argentina are in Group A of the Olympic Games and will play against Lithuania, Russia and Australia and Croatia.

... Payvand News - 07/30/08 ... --