Argentina arrived at the 2004 Men's Olympic Football Tournament in far from ideal circumstances. When the action got underway in the Greek capital on 11 August, just two weeks had passed since La Albiceleste lost the final of that year’s Copa America to arch-rivals Brazil in a penalty shootout.

Yet despite that setback, Marcelo Bielsa’s side made light work of Group C, which they comfortably topped with three wins from three to ease into the quarter-finals. Putting the disappointment of the continental championship behind them, they now had their sights firmly set on a maiden Olympic gold, 76 years after losing the 1928 final.

"Going straight into the Olympics right after losing the Copa America final just made us want it even more. We’d come within minutes of beating Brazil [in normal time] and so were very keen to make amends, to go all the way and win something," Javier Saviola told FIFA.com, recalling his side’s unforgettable adventure in Athens.

It did not take long for the magic of the Olympics to captivate this gifted Argentina squad, which had in its ranks a cohort of promising youngsters who would go on to make it at the highest level. Among their number were Carlos Tevez, Maxi Rodriguez, Lucho Gonzalez and of course Saviola himself, with many of the squad also veterans of the triumphant campaign at the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2001.

The team was further bolstered by the highly respected and vastly experienced Roberto Ayala (as one of their overage picks) and masterfully orchestrated by Bielsa. Suffice to say, all the ingredients were there.

"That was a great team, led by Bielsa, a coach who influenced us a lot. It was spectacular, not just because of the way we played but also because we had such quality players. It was a very good generation that could have won more titles," said the 39-yearold of the team that finished the tournament with six wins from six, 17 goals for and none against.

It was a moment to treasure for the entire squad, as well as for all of Argentina, who avidly followed their pursuit of gold back home. "An Olympic Games changes your life forever. We also achieved our objective of taking the gold medal, which is something every athlete wants," added the former star of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Benfica, among others.

"For me it was something unique, because while at the Games we met up with athletes from other sports and went to watch other events. I felt really good and very happy in that period. I enjoyed it to the max because I knew I’d be very unlikely to take part again."

That determination to make the most of things typified Saviola, who at the time of the Athens Games was an established forward for Barcelona.

"The experience was amazing. You ate with the other athletes, got to share moments with some of the world’s best tennis players... your head was constantly turned and you got to see other events too. I’ve always been a sport-lover and so went crazy seeing so much. I was so happy. Then you’d hop on a bus and have it full of athletes. There was a palpable sense of amateurism [in its original sense], happiness, togetherness and of being able to chat to anyone," Saviola recalled with a smile.

Putting himself in the shoes of the Brazilian and Spanish players who’ll go head-to-head this Saturday in the Gold Medal Match, Saviola cast his mind back the days before 2004 final, when the prospect of returning home with a gold medal was becoming very real.

"That wait is terrible for any athlete. The country was totally absorbed by it and really looking forward to us getting on the podium. It generated a very nice atmosphere that ended in the best possible way – with us winning and taking the top prize. As the gold medals went around our necks, we realised the importance of what we’d achieved."

The team’s quest for gold to atone for the Copa America setback meant the feelings were all the sweeter when the coronation came. "What I remember first and foremost is the squad we had; it was magnificent and everyone was important. We spent a lot of time together.

"It is hard to explain what winning gold means. You try to imagine it before the tournament, but when you hear the anthem, stand on the top of the podium and have the medal around your neck, it’s very difficult to convey that to someone else. You have to be there because it's a very beautiful feeling," he added.

There is also the significance of what it meant to a proud footballing country with a fine Olympic tradition like Argentina’s. "When you compete, it’s not just about what you experience there, but also about the joy you can bring to the people of Argentina. It was a combination of things... When you get to take part in the Games and see how many celebrated athletes fall by the wayside and never get a medal, you realize how complicated it is."

As you might expect, Saviola has been keeping a close eye on events at Tokyo 2020. "After our game with Spain, I was saddened that we wouldn’t be seeing any more of Argentina. That said, there was a lot of quality there. There were some very competitive sides at the tournament and for me the two best are in the final, no question,” he said.

Saviola concluded our chat by telling us his favourite to take the gold on Saturday: "Spain are the team I like the most – I love the way they play. They have some very skilled and dangerous midfielders and forwards who can make the difference. If I had to choose between the four teams who made the semis, I’d stay with Spain."