Caracas, (Venezuela), Jul 7: 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.
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.
