1976 — Montreal

HTML <h2><strong>1976 MONTREAL OLYMPIC GAMES</strong></h2>

HTML <p>Montreal is a beautiful city on the St Lawrence River in Canada. The influence of French culture and its deep and modern history made it a great city to hold an Olympic Games. </p>

HTML <p>The Canadians were determined to put on a show and that started with the facilities.</p>

HTML <p>The Montreal Olympic Games of 1976 were an impressive array of mainly new and spectacular facilities. The downside was thatthe city struggled to complete the buildings on time and the cost were crippling and in ways threatened theholding of future Games. Things were not made better by the 1973 oil crises. </p>

HTML <p>In the aftermath of the 1972 Munich Olympic Games Massacre security was also highly expensive with an over 16,000 personnel security force being utilised. </p>

HTML <p>Twenty four nations boycotted the Games. A sign of things to come! Their boycott was in protest to New Zealand’s inclusion in the Games as the NZ All Blacks Rugby Union had recently toured to apartheid South Africa.</p>

HTML <h2><strong>Highlights of the Games</strong></h2>

HTML <p>Fourteen year old Nadia Comaneci from Romania charmed the world in gymnastics and scored the first perfect 10 score in her sport.</p>

HTML <p>Alberto Juantorena from Cuba won the 400 and 800 metres athletics.</p>

HTML <p>LasseViren from Finland repeated his Munich double in the 5,000 and 10,000 metres athletics.</p>

HTML <h2><strong>Australian Highlights</strong></h2>

HTML <p>Australia failed to win a Gold Medal. They won four Silverand one Bronze Medal. The ensuing public outrage led to the government Bloomfield Report and the establishment of the Australian Institute of Sport and major funding for all levels and manners of sport in Australia.</p>

HTML <h2><strong>The Olympic Village</strong></h2>

HTML <p>The Olympic Village was a twin-tower structure in Montreal, Quebec. All the athletes were housed there except those competing in equestrian and sailing. It was an impressive two tier structure and still stands today. However the Village had its moments and drawbacks. Coach Lindsay gaze commented, “The first taste of rigid security measures and the crowding of 12 athletes into one crammed apartment did little to develop the team spirit. A lack of accessible recreation and relaxation facilities had the effect of a restrictive atmosphere. Luckily we were able to hire a television.” Manger Bob Staunton commended the players’ attitude as “there was only one toilet and one shower in each apartment”. The Australians were in the Village for 12 days prior to the start of the Olympic Tournament so going “stir crazy” was an issue.</p>

HTML <p>The Australian Team waiting for a bus outside the 1976 Olympic Village (A. Blicavs)</p>

HTML <h2><strong>The Opening Ceremony</strong></h2>

HTML <p>The Opening Ceremony for the Games of the XXI Olympiad in Montr&#233;al, on July 17, 1976, began the first Olympic Games on Canadian soil. </p>

HTML <p>In the Olympic Stadium 73,000 spectators watched the arrival of Queen Elizabeth 2nd of England and the parade of 94 countries consisting of approximately 10,000 athletes.</p>

HTML <p>Two teenagers, one from the French speaking part of the country and one from the English speaking part, lit the Olympic Flame Cauldron to symbolize the unity of Canada.</p>

HTML <p>The Australian Olympic Team marching in the Opening Ceremony (A. Blicavs)</p>

HTML <h2><strong>Women’s Olympic Basketball Tournament</strong></h2>

HTML <p>The first time women competed in basketball at an Olympic Games was in Montreal 1976.</p>

HTML <p>Only six teams were allowed to compete in Montreal by FIBA as it considered that women’s basketball world-wide was not yet strong enough. This was more of a political decision to appease the IOC and to limit the number of athletes competing at the Olympic Games.</p>

HTML <p>If the women’s tournament was successful then there were high hopes that they would become a permanent part of the Olympics and their numbers would be expanded.</p>

HTML <p>FIBA decreed that the USSR (World Champions), Czechoslovakia (second in the World Championships) and Japan as Asian champions as well as the host country Canada would be automatic entries into the Olympic tournament.</p>

HTML <p>Nine teams competed in a Qualification Tournament in Hamilton, Canada to determine the final two teams for the Olympic tournament.The final qualifiers for the Olympics were: USSR, Czechoslovakia, Japan, USA, Bulgaria and the hosts Canada.</p>

HTML <p>The USSR won the Gold, the USA the Silver and Bulgaria the Bronze Medals.</p>

HTML <h2><strong>Australian </strong><strong>Olympic </strong><strong>Men’s </strong><strong>Basketball </strong><strong>Team Preparation</strong></h2>

HTML <p>The year prior to the Games the Australian squad toured the Pac 8 Colleges on the east coast of the USA and then went to China in November.</p>

HTML <p>On tour in 1975 in China at the Great Wall (A.Barnett)</p>

HTML <p>The Australian Men’s Team was selected in April and the team was made up of ten Victorian and two South Australian players with Lindsay Gaze from Victoria s the Coach. During May 1976 after the Australian Team was selected it played games in Australia against touring teams from Belgium and Mississippi State</p>

HTML <p>Weekend training sessions were held in Melbourne before the final team came together for two weeks prior to departure to undergo intense daily training.</p>

HTML <p>Opening Ceremony on the China tour 1975 (A. Barnett)</p>

HTML <p>The main setbacks during this period were when 7ft centre Andy Campbell suffered a severe ankle injury and Ray Tomlinson had to overcome a sinus operation.</p>

HTML <p>The team flew out on Sunday July 4th to Montreal via Honolulu.</p>

HTML <p>After arriving at the Olympic Village in Montreal the team played three practice games, two against local Canadian clubs and one against Puerto Rico.</p>

HTML <p>Andris Blicavs outside the Athlete Services building in Montreal (A. Blicavs)</p>

HTML <h2><strong>The Olympic Basketball Tournament</strong></h2>

HTML <p>The basketball tournament took place from July 18 to July 27th in the Centre Etienne Desmarteau and the Montreal Forum.</p>

HTML <p>The Australian Basketball Team had secured 9th place at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games and were determined to improve on that place and become the highest placed team in Australian Olympic basketball history.</p>

HTML <p>The teams contesting the Olympics were divided into two groups of six for a round robin competition.</p>

HTML <p>Australia was drawn in Group A with Mexico, Canada, Cuba, Japan and the USSR.</p>

HTML <h2><strong>Game 1: Australia</strong><strong> 89</strong><strong> v Cuba</strong><strong> 111</strong><strong> (40-56)</strong></h2>

HTML <p>Australia’s first game was a tough one against 1972 Munich Bronze medallist Cuba. The Cubans were a very athletic team and excellent rebounders. The Australians had played them four years before in the Munich Olympics and lost 84-70.</p>

HTML <p>Australia started with Crosswhite, Campbell, Barnett, Palubinskas and Blicavs.</p>

HTML <p>Palubinskas had been the second leading scorer at the 1972 Olympics in Munich when he was still at College in the USA. He was a much more mature player at this time and his prodigious shooting abilities and his team-mates abilities to get him open off screens and cuts would go a long way to determining how the Australians would go in the tournament. The Cuban team contained the great player Ruperto Herrera.</p>

HTML <p>The Cubans played strongly andAustralia found themselves down 56-40 at half-time. The Australians shot at 42% while the Cubans dominated around the basket to shoot at 57% adding to their dominance in the rebounding by 47 to 35. Despite 28 points from Palubinskas and good scoring by a number of Australians the Cubans were too strong and went on to win 111-89.Chappi 26points, Herrera 22 and Urgelles 20 were the main scorers for Cuba</p>

HTML <p><strong>Australia:</strong> Palubinskas 28, Barnett 21, Crosswhite 15,Blicavs 12, Tucker 5, Tomlinson 6, Watson 2,<strong>Shooting:</strong> 36/86 at 42% <strong>Free-throws:</strong> 17/20 at 85% <strong>Rebounds:</strong> Australia 35-Cuba 47</p>

HTML <h2><strong>Game 2: Australia</strong><strong> 77</strong><strong> v USSR</strong><strong> 93</strong><strong> (39-58)</strong></h2>

HTML <p>Russell Simon (9) rebounds against the USSR while Andy Campbell (4), Perry Crosswhite (11) and Tony Barnett (7) await the outcome. (IOC)</p>

HTML <p>The Australian team’s task was no easier in their second game coming up against Munich Gold medallist USSR. The USSR had won the Gold medal when they defeated the USA in the most controversial Olympic basketball game in history. That game involved the USSR being allowed to re-inbound the ball three before they scored the winning basket. </p>

HTML <p>Australia used the same starting five players and again found the power of the USSR, using its height and size to great advantage and their dominance of rebounding, hard going and was down 58-39 at half-time. A more determined effort by the Australians in the second half and some strong screening for Palubinskas forced the USSR to revert to zone defence. Australia won the second half 38-35 but eventually lost 93-77, but were much encouraged by their showing. The Australians shot at 40% to the Soviets 58% and were outrebounded 33-24. The giant Soviet player Vladimir Tkachenko scored 19 points and Arzamaskov with 16 points was the other major scorer for the USSR.</p>

HTML <p><strong>Australia:</strong> Palubinskas 29, Tucker 10, Blicavs 8, Crosswhite 8, Barnett 6, Campbell 3, Maddock 4, Tomlinson 4, Watson 3, Walsh 2.<strong>Shooting:</strong> 27/67 at 40% <strong>Free-throws:</strong> 23/28 at 82% <strong>Rebounds:</strong> Australia 24-USSR 33</p>

HTML <p>Andy Blicavs (left) and Andy Campbell being assisted by a volunteer (A. Blicavs)</p>

HTML <h2><strong>Game 3: Australia</strong><strong> 120</strong><strong> v Mexico</strong><strong> 117</strong><strong> (57-58)</strong></h2>

HTML <p>Australia had previously had some great contests against Mexico in Olympic competition (especially in Tokyo 1964) and this game was to be no different. Mexico had defeated Australia 102-101 in the 1974 World Championships so a high scoring game was expected.</p>

HTML <p>Mexico had qualified through the Americas Qualification Tournament in Hamilton,Ontario Canada so they were game hardened.</p>

HTML <p>In this Olympic Tournament the Mexicans had lost to the USSR 120-77 and had defeated Japan 108-90 so defence was not their strong point.</p>

HTML <p>Although the Australians tried to make this game more of a defensive affair the game quickly developed into an incredible shooting contest. At half-time the Mexicans led58-57. The second half saw a continuation of the shooting match by both teams and with eight minutes to go the Australians had been forced to a 12 point deficit. However they fought back and tied the game with two minutes remaining and secured a 107-107 draw at full-time. </p>

HTML <p>In the overtime the high standard shooting continued with Palubinskas and the Mexican Guerrero shooting “the lights out”.</p>

HTML <p>The capacity crowd were enjoying every second and gave both teams a standing ovation at fulltime when the Aussies prevailed 120-117. A total of 237 points had </p>

HTML <p>been scored in the game. It must be remembered that there was no three point line at this time. Spectators who were there that day remember the amazing shooting percentages of both teams and in particular Palubinskas, Blicavs and Guerrero. The Aussies were delighted as they had secured their first win, all be it in overtime. Guerrero 40 points and Palomar 20 were the main scorers for Mexico.</p>

HTML <p><strong>Australia:</strong> Palubinskas 48, Blicavs 19, Barnett 18, Crosswhite 14, Tucker 12, Campbell 2, Tomlinson 2, Watson 5.<strong>Shooting:</strong> 49/73at 67% <strong>Free-throws</strong><strong>:</strong> 22/26 at 85% <strong>Rebounds:</strong> Australia 25-Mexico 32</p>

HTML <p>Palubinskas had made 20 baskets from 24 attempts at 83% and Blicavs 9 baskets from 9 attempts at 100%.</p>

HTML <h2><strong>Game 4: Australia</strong><strong> 69</strong><strong> v Canada</strong><strong> 81</strong><strong> (42-40)</strong></h2>

HTML <p>Australia started with the usual five players, Crosswhite, Blicavs, Palubinskas, Barnett and Campbell. The Australians were favoured to win but the question was how much had been taken out of them with the previous game against Mexico? </p>

HTML <p>The Canadians had so far defeated Japan 104-76, Cuba 84-79, and lost to the USSR 108-85 so they had some good form coming into this game. They of course had the home court advantage.</p>

HTML <p>The Australians led 42-40 at half-time. The Canadians were giving the Aussies a pounding on the rebounds and won that contest 41 to 22. Their 13 offensive rebounds were a factor in the final result. Palubinskas was continuing his scoring spree but the rest of the team could not repeat their shooting performances of the previous match and the Australiansfaded in the second half to lose 81-68. The Canadians had clearly indicated that at home they were a force to be reckoned with. Robinson 23 points, Tollestrup 19, Hansen 18, and Russell 15 were the main scorers for Canada.</p>

HTML <p><strong>Australia:</strong> Palubinskas 28, Barnett 17, Maddock 6, Campbell 4, Simon 2, Walsh 2, Tucker 4, Crosswhite, 2 Watson 4.<strong>Shooting:</strong> 31/70 at 44% <strong>Free-throws:</strong> 7/8 at 88% <strong>Rebounds:</strong> Australia 22-Canada 41</p>

HTML <h2><strong>Game 5</strong><strong>: Australia</strong><strong> 117</strong><strong> v Japan</strong><strong> 90</strong><strong> (54-41)</strong></h2>

HTML <p>Australia needed to bounce back against the Asian Champions Japan after their disappointing loss to Canada. </p>

HTML <p>Japan had lost to Canada, Mexico, USSR and Cuba and was not considered to have a great chance against Australia. </p>

HTML <p>The Australians needed a good start to set the winning tone. This they did and led 54-41 at half-time. Unfortunately during the first half Tony Barnett seriously injured his ankle and was taken to hospital where his lower leg was placed in plaster. The Aussies did not let this take them away from their task and they secured a 117-90win.Yuki with 20 points was the main scorer for Japan.</p>

HTML <p><strong>Australia: </strong>Palubinskas 30, Maddock 14, Watson 12, Blicavs 12, Tucker 12, Crosswhite, 11 Barnett 2, Cadee 2, Campbell 6, Tomlinson 8, Simon 2, Walsh 6.<strong>Shooting:</strong> 51/9 at 56% <strong>Free-throws:</strong> 15/20 at 75% <strong>Rebounds:</strong> Australia 38-Japan 34</p>

HTML <p><strong>Australia had fini</strong><strong>shed</strong><strong> in fourth place </strong><strong>in Group A w</strong><strong>ith 2 wins and 3 losses.</strong></p>

HTML <h2><strong>Group Classifications</strong><strong>:</strong></h2>

HTML <h2><strong>Group A</strong><strong>:</strong><strong>Group B</strong></h2>

HTML <p>USSR5-01. USA5-0</p>

HTML <p>Canada4-12. Yugoslavia4-1</p>

HTML <p>Cuba3-23. Italy3-2</p>

HTML <p>Australia2-34. Czechoslovakia2-3</p>

HTML <p>Mexico1-45 Puerto Rico1-4</p>

HTML <p>Japan0-56. Egypt0-1 (Withdrew)</p>

HTML <h2><strong>The Finals</strong></h2>

HTML <h2><strong>Classification 5-8 positions</strong></h2>

HTML <h2><strong>Game 6</strong><strong>: Australia</strong><strong> 72</strong><strong> v Italy</strong><strong> 79</strong><strong> (43-37)</strong></h2>

HTML <p>Australia now played Italy, the European zone winners, who had been defeated in Group B by Yugoslavia by one point (88-87)to deny them a position in the Semi Finals. The Italians had finished in 3rd place in their Group with three wins and two losses.</p>

HTML <p>Michael Tucker replaced the injured Tony Barnett in the opening line-up for Australia. The Italian team contained the giant centre Dino Meneghin and the talented guard Marzorati. The Aussies started well and skipped to a 43-37 half-time lead. Palubinskas was scoring well and getting strong support from Blicavs and Crosswhite. However the taller, bigger and stronger Italians muscled up in the second stanza and defeated the Australians 79-72.Bariviera 20 points,Meneghin 16, and Marzorati 14 were the main scorers for Italy.</p>

HTML <p><strong>Australia:</strong> Palubinskas 30, Blicavs 16,Crosswhite 14,Campbell 2, Tucker 6, Tomlinson 2, Watson 2. <strong>Shooting:</strong> 29/63 at 46% <strong>Free-throws:</strong> 14/18 at 78% <strong>Rebounds:</strong> Australia 23-Italy 36</p>

HTML <h2><strong>Game 7: Australia</strong><strong> 81</strong><strong> v Cuba</strong><strong> 92</strong><strong> (36-42)</strong></h2>

HTML <p>With their 22 point loss to Cuba in the preliminary Group A matches the Australians were keen to balance the ledger against the Cubans who finished that round of games one win ahead of the Australiansin Group A. </p>

HTML <p>Again the athleticism of the Cubans made Australia’s task very difficult. At half-time the Cubans led 42-36 so the Australians were well in touch. The Australians were getting a wider range of scorers than in the previous game against Cuba and their team-work was very good. However in a very closely contested second half the Cubans ran out winners 92-81. Once again Herrera played havoc with the Australian defence and his 30 points was supported well by Chappe 13, and Urgelles 14.</p>

HTML <p><strong>Australia:</strong> Palubinskas 26, Tomlinson 12, Campbell 10, Crosswhite 10, Blicavs 8, Campbell 10, Maddock 1, Simon 2, Tucker 8,Watson <strong>2</strong><strong>.</strong><strong>Shooting:</strong>32/85 at 38% <strong>Free-throws:</strong> 17/20 at 85% <strong>Rebounds:</strong> Australia 35-Cuba 41</p>

HTML <p>Australia finished the tournament with a two wins five losses record to secure 8th place overall, the best result by an Australian Team in Olympics basketball to that time.</p>

HTML <p>Eddie Palubinskas was the highest individual scorer for the tournament following on his second place in scoring at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Eddie scored 219 points at an average of 31.2 points per game a great result considering that there was no three point line in these times.</p>

HTML <p>Eddie Palubinskas shooting a free-throw (E. Palubinskas)</p>

HTML <p>The second highest scorer was the Mexican Guerrero with 167 points.</p>

HTML <p>Eddie’s highest scores at two Olympics set the example for future Australian players Ian Davies and Andrew Gaze to do the same in the future.</p>

HTML <p><strong>Australian team statistics:</strong><strong>Shooting:</strong> 255/534 at 48% <strong>Free-throws:</strong> 115/140 at 82%.</p>

HTML <p>John Holden was Australia representative referee at the tournament and received high praise. </p>

HTML <h2><strong>The Medal Games</strong></h2>

HTML <p>The USA defeated Canada and Yugoslavia defeated the USSR in the Semi-Finals to advance to the Gold Medal game.</p>

HTML <p>In the Gold Medal game the USA, who had bad memories from losing the gold medal game in Munich, were determined to win the Gold Medal this time around.The final started poorly for the Yugoslavians with one of their stars Slavnic being injured and out of the game. Nevertheless with good shooting from Kika (64%),Dalipagic (52%), and Cosic (50%) the Yugoslavians stayed in the game. However the tenacious US defence and great shooting from Dantley (68%), May (56%), and Kupchak (71%) was too much and the Americans won 95-74</p>

HTML <h2><strong>Final Classification</strong></h2>

HTML <p>USA </p>

HTML <p>Yugoslavia </p>

HTML <p>USSR </p>

HTML <p>Canada</p>

HTML <p> Italy</p>

HTML <p> Czechoslovakia</p>

HTML <p>Cuba</p>

HTML <p>Australia </p>

HTML <p> Puerto-Rico </p>

HTML <p>Mexico</p>

HTML <p> Japan </p>

HTML <p>Egypt</p>

HTML <h2><strong>Overview</strong></h2>

HTML <p>The Australian Men’s Basketball Team had achieved their highest ever position in Olympic basketball when they secured 8th place. They were pleased with this but also disappointed that they did not win more games. Their two wins from seven games were not what they expected, with their goals set much higher. The oddity of games and results is that four years previously the team had won five games and lost four yet finished in 9th position.</p>

HTML <p>“Results of all matches in the Olympics confirmed that that there is a general evening up of standards and there are many teams in medals contention,” said Lindsay Gaze in his official report. He continued “... with better preparation Australia could have finished high in these Olympics. I have nothing but praise for all members of our team.”</p>

HTML <p>The official reports identified that Australia’s continued problem of poor international game preparation prior to the Olympics was still the main issue as it had been in 1956 and 1968. In 1964 and 1972 with games against top class opposition prior to the Games these teams played very well. </p>

HTML <p>In his report Lindsay Gaze also called for greater government financial support. He was not optimistic but change was in the wind.</p>

HTML <p>The 1976 Australian Men’s Olympic Team (Basketball Australia)</p>

HTML <p>Left to right: Andris Blicavs, Russell Simon, Bob Staunton (Manager), Peter Walsh, Ian Watson, Michael Tucker, Eddie Palubinskas, Andy Campbell, Robbie Cadee, Ray Tomlinson, John Maddock, Perry Crosswhite (Captain), Lindsay Gaze (Coach) Tony Barnett</p>