Argentina ended the United States' gold-medal run at the Olympics with a 70-57 triumph at the Indoor Arena in Athens.

Since the introduction of NBA players in the US team in 1992, every American side has won the title but an NBA player in another squad, Emanuel Ginobili, orchestrated their downfall.

San Antonio Spurs guard Ginobili exploded for 29 points as Argentina, who finished runners-up to Yugoslavia at the FIBA's 2002 World Championships, earned arguably the most important win in their basketball history.

Team USA, beaten by Puerto Rico and Lithuania in the preliminary group stage, can now win only a bronze medal.

Ginobili's heroics will come as no surprise to anyone familiar with the international game, or the NBA.

He made a habit of destroying opponents while with Virtus Bologna and has been equally potent against teams in North America.

Just two years ago, he played a vital role in the Spurs' NBA title-winning side that beat the New Jersey Nets.

Coach Larry Brown only had his best player for 19 minutes of the contest. Tim Duncan, Ginobili's Spurs' team-mate, missed most of the contest in foul trouble and eventually fouled out in the fourth quarter.

Brown admitted the US did not play as well as they had against Spain, whom they defeated 102-94 in the quarter-finals on Thursday.

"We didn't shoot the ball well," Brown said. "I think they (Argentina) shot well over 50 (%), shot 50 from three and for us, to have any chance, we needed to have an inside presence.

"I have watched Timmy play for years and I have never seen him foul out in 19 minutes."

Italy then shocked Lithuania with a 100-91 victory to set up a clash for the gold medal with Argentina.

But later the USA women accomplished what the men failed to do by winning a gold medal at the Olympics on Saturday.

In a tough battle against the Australians, Van Chancellor's Americans triumphed 74-63.

The United States, the dominant force in the women's game since 1996 in Atlanta, have now won three golds on the trot at the Summer Games and they have taken titles at FIBA's World Championships in between, too.

In Sydney four years ago, the USA women also beat Australia in the championship game.