CARACAS, Venezuela – Russia and Nigeria won Friday to reach the semifinals of the men’s Olympic basketball qualifying tournament.

Russia defeated Angola 80-65 and Nigeria edged out Greece 80-79.

The top three teams in the tournament will fill the final berths for the London Olympics.

Vitaliy Fridzon led Russia with 18 points and Alexander Kaun added 17. Carlos Morais scored 14 for Angola.

Ade Dagunduro scored the last five points, including two decisive free throws in the last three seconds, for Nigeria. Ike Diogu led Nigeria with 17 points and Dagunduro had 14. Vasileios Spanoulis had 25 for Greece.

Russia will face Nigeria in Saturday’s semifinals, with the winner advancing to London. The other semifinal will pit the winner of Friday’s two late quarterfinals, Macedonia vs. the Dominican Republic and Lithuania vs. Puerto Rico.

The two losing semifinalists play Sunday for the final place.

Nine teams have already qualified for London. They are Spain, France, Argentina, Brazil, Britain, China, Australia, Tunisia and the United States.

yashau: Good result, but i don't think nigeria can overcome this russia team!

Ironi: So now you turn to basket ball after you've been fcked so much by Ghana in soccer.

Wusses!

emmke: No it simply means we are a hugely talented people and we excel in almost every sphere of life...if we choose to.

Matteos: Congrats!

If you support NIGERIA in all sports, you are invited on the 1st international forum about Olympic Sports.

You can discuss with sport fans from all around the world about all Olympic sports, represent your nation and be always updated about all sport events in the Road to London 2012 Olympic Games.

If you are interested, here is the link: www.totallympics.com

Here is the direct link to the Basketball Olympic Qualification Tournament: http://www.totallympics.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=2724

I hope some of you will register and start posting about Basketball and other sports, we already have a couple of Nigerian users and it would be nice to make the Nigerian community bigger


Thanks!

Matteos

kiyosaki1: Ranking Men after all 2011 FIBA Zones Championships
Rank Country

1. USA

2. Spain

3. Argentina

4. Greece

5. Lithuania

6. Turkey

7. Italy

8. Serbia

9. Australia

10. China

11. Russia

12. France

13. Brazil

14. Germany

15. Angola

16. Puerto

17. Slovenia

18. New Zealand

19. Croatia

20. Iran

21. Nigeria

22. Venezuela

23. Lebanon

24. Canada

If we can do it against world no 3 & 4, then no 11 should beware.I strongly belief we will defeat the Russians

kiyosaki1: Nigeria defeated Greece 80-79 in a thriller in the second quarter-final of the day, at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Caracas.



Ike Diogu led Nigeria with a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds, Ade Dagunduro added 14 points. One of the victory keys was both of their excellent shooting from three throws line, adding up to 11/12 from the charity line.

Greece were led in vain by Vassilis Spanoulis, who hit with 25 and Ioannis Bourousis with 18 points.

At the beginning Nigeria kept the game tied, ending the first 21-21 after the Greekstarted off the game with a 10-2 run, while having Spanoulis on a bad day from the free throw line, going 3/8.

The European basketball powerhouse finished the second quarter and first half with a 12 points advantage thanks to Spanoulis’s two triples.

But Nigeria gave their best in the second half and succeeded to cut Greece's advantage to six at the end of the third quarter 50-56 which resulted into an unexpected drama during the fourth period.

The African side tied at the four minute mark at 65-65, The teams changed the lead for the remaining of the game. Bourousis scored for 76-75 wih just 44 seconds to go. After the Nigerian coach called a timout which was vital. Nigeria took a shock 78-75 lead. Papanikolaou answered 14 seconds later for another lead change 79-78. Finally, 3 seconds before the end, Dangunduro was fouled and with two free throws realized, 5/5 throughout the entire game, and Spanoulis last 3 points shot blocked, Africans could start celebration.

The Nigerians are in action again tomorrow, where one more win will secure a shock place at London 2012.

MMJ: Dont like basket ball,..... Next topic pls

buzugee: where can i watch this ? is there any game today ?