2016 Olympic Games: two qualifier finals set
Four nations are on the brink of making the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, but only two will reach the prestigious tournament. The finals of the Olympic Qualifiers in both Serbia and Italy have been locked, with the host nations to compete in both.
Italy will meet Croatia in the final of the Turn 2016 Olympic Games qualifier, while Serbia will clash with Puerto Rico in the Belgrade competition. The tournament in Manilla, Philippines is still at the semifinal stage with the final yet to be locked. Friday’s games show that home advantage could be huge in the final, with hosts generally having an easier passage to the showpiece.
Belgrade
Serbia vs. Czech Republic, 96-72
Serbia eased into the finals of the Belgrade 2016 Olympic Games qualifier with a cruising victory over the Czech Republic. The team made home court advantage and a strong crowd count with a big display, setting up a clash with Puerto Rico in the final.
It had been a one-sided contest for most of the first half, with Serbia leading 45-36 as the buzzer sounded for the long break. However, the Czech Republic rallied to within a point during the third act but that was as good as it would get for the visitors. Serbia regained the momentum in the third and streamed 28 points to make it 73-58 through thirty minutes. Victory was a cruise for the home team through a winning fourth quarter.
The big guns fired for the hosts. Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 21 points and grabbed 8 rebounds, Nikola Jokic scored 19 points and took 8 boards, and Milos Teodosic scored 16 points and dished 6 assists.
Latvia vs. Puerto Rico, 70-77
Puerto Rico punched its ticket to the final with a spirited win over Latvia in Belgrade. A low scoring first half saw the Central Americans edge an advantage, winning the first stanza 13-17 and losing the second 17-16 for a narrow 30-33 lead through the long break. The scoring started to pick up in the third, with Latvia continuing its ascent with a 20-18 charge to make it a one point game at three frames (50-51). Puerto Rico regained the momentum in a valuable fourth act run that delivered the win, and the final ticket.
John Holland topped the win with 15 points, while Jose Juan Barea and Carlos Arroyo both plundered 14 points. Renaldo Balkman collected the only double-double with a 12 points and 10 rebounds card.
Italy
Italy vs. Mexico, 79-54
Italy managed to ease into the final of its home tournament and is now a game against Croatia away from reaching the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. The Azzurri outfought and outplayed Mexico in front of its home fans and will head to the decider in confident mood.
The hosts took early control with 19 points in the first quarter, and showed a defence that would define the win by stopping Mexico at 13 points. Italy repeated its Q1 haul in the second frame and held the visitors to 15 points for a solid 38-28 advantage through halftime. The blue jerseys continued to build on that double digit advantage with a 20-13 difference in the third act, making it 58-41 through three quarters. The fourth was a formality as Italy eased to victory.
Danilo Gallinari led the win with 15 points, while Nicolo Melli took 14 points and Marco Belinalli 12 points.
Greece vs. Croatia, 60-66
Croatia had a tougher experience than Italy as it faced European rival Greece in its semifinal game. However, the nation prevailed in an often tense encounter that produced plenty of drama, if not the consistent action around through the nets. Croatia’s 13-31 first quarter really set up the win as the team defending that 18 points lead for much of the rest of the game. A 21-13 second act and an impressive 15-8 run in the third reduced the deficit to 49-52. However Croatia bookended its game with a winning fourth quarter and a frantic last minute saw them claim the win.
Bojan Bogdanovic shone for the Croats with 20 points, while Dario Saric offered 16 points and 8 rebounds in the win.