BUENOS AIRES, Aug. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Self-criticism and a change in attitude were the key for the Thursday victory of the Argentinenational basketball team over China in the Olympic Games of Athens2004, Argentine newspaper La Nacion said on Friday.

    The daily pointed out that self-criticism helped the Argentinesto become "more united in the attack and find that intensity and defensive mobility were the bases for great victories."

    Argentina moved to the second place of Group A in Athens, afterbeating China 82-57 in a third round game.

    In spite of an adverse 41-21 score in the first half, the Argentine team "never lost its intensity nor did it allow the Chinese to recover," said the newspaper, although it described the performance of the Asians as "awful".

    La Nacion said the Argentine team will have to increase its rebound in the next two matches, against New Zealand and Italy. Should Argentine defeat them, Argentina could assure the second place of the tournament, the daily said. Enditem