Indianapolis ? Peja Stojakovic, Dejan Bodiroga, Vlade Divac and the team from Yugoslavia linked their arms and raised them in unison, then danced in a circle around the championship trophy.

Thousands of their supporters loudly chanted “Serbia!” and sang their national anthem.

The heartland of America felt a lot like downtown Belgrade after Yugoslavia came back from an eight-point deficit in the final 212 minutes of regulation and survived a crucial pair of missed free throws by Divac to beat Argentina, 84-77, in overtime for the gold medal Sunday in the World Championships.

“It’s wonderful we were able to defend the gold medal and for the fifth time prove we are champions of the world,” Bodiroga said.

The thrilling and controversial championship game ended with Argentina’s players angrily pointing their fingers and yelling at a Greek referee who failed to call a foul on the final play of regulation.

Bodiroga scored 27 points, including nine straight late in the fourth quarter when Yugoslavia rallied to tie it, and Stojakovic had 26.

Divac, who shot 1-for-10 in what he said would likely be his last game for the national team, missed two free throws with 5.9 seconds left to leave the score tied 75-75. Argentina rebounded and got the ball to Hugo Sconochini, who drove to the basket and went down hard as he missed a shot just before the buzzer.

The entire Argentina team coaches, players and trainers ran onto the court to complain that a foul should have been called. Replays showed Marko Jaric of Yugoslavia making contact with Sconochini.

“I think we suffered a shock very big, considering that we practically had the doors open for a victory,” coach Ruben Magnano said.

The referee, Nikos Pitsilkas, ejected a member of the Argentina delegation just a few seconds into overtime. Several players screamed and gestured at the referee during the final few seconds of overtime, then clapped their hands in mock applause as he left the court.

Stojakovic hit a three-pointer on Yugoslavia’s first possession of overtime to put Yugoslavia ahead for good. Divac blocked shots on two of Argentina’s next three possessions, and Bodiroga made a pair of foul shots for an 80-75 lead with 2:16 left. Argentina scored just two points the rest of the way.

“We won several of the last games by showing a lot of heart,” Bodiroga said. “Today was my opportunity to show the leadership that other players showed in previous games.”

It was the fifth gold medal for Yugoslavia.

Third-place game

Germany 117, New Zealand 94

Dirk Nowitzki’s impressive young career has helped put Germany on the international basketball map. With the Dallas Mavericks all-star leading way, Germany now has a medal to prove it.

The 24-year-old forward scored 25 of his 29 points in the first half and Germany won its first World Championships medal.

“We took another step,” he said, referring to Germany’s fourth-place finish in the European championships that qualified it for this tournament. “Our future is bright. Our next goal is to qualify for the Olympics in 2004. I just hope everyone is healthy so we can be there.”

Nowitzki, the tournament’s leading scorer with a 23.4 average, scored eight points in Germany’s 10-0 run to close the first quarter as it took a 35-27 lead.