Main content

The most controversial three seconds in basketball history

The USSR faced the USA in the 1972 Olympic men's basketball final. The match had a bizarre ending. Ben Henderson spoke to Ivan Edeshko, who played a crucial role for the the USSR.

It's 50 years since the Soviet Union and the USA battled out the 1972 Olympic men's basketball final. It ended up being one of the most controversial matches in history. The Americans thought they were champions, but the Soviets won it at the death in very unusual circumstances. The USA team have never accepted their silver medals. Ben Henderson spoke to Ivan Edeshko, who made the game-winning β€˜golden pass’ for the USSR.
(Photo from Bettmann via Getty Images: USSR players celebrate beating the USA in the 1972 Olympic men's basketball final)

Available now

9 minutes

Last on

Sun 21 Aug 2022 13:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Thu 18 Aug 2022 09:50GMT
  • Thu 18 Aug 2022 23:50GMT
  • Sat 20 Aug 2022 17:50GMT
  • Sun 21 Aug 2022 13:50GMT

Featured in...

Olympic history

Olympic history

The inside and personal story of the key moments from sporting history

Sporting Witness Films

Sporting Witness Films

Watch sporting heroes tell their stories of astonishing achievement

Podcast