By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The field across the four FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments has been reduced to 16 countries vying for four tickets to the 2024 Olympic Games.
The group stage in Piraeus, Riga, San Juan, and Valencia is in the books. However, the Semifinals and Finals covering the weekend carry much more implications with the Olympics on the line. Three single-elimination contests left in each OQT with the last attached directly to an opportunity of playing in Paris.
Highlighting the schedule on Saturday, the Semifinals include a clash between Greece and Slovenia, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic. The NBA stars want to lead their respective national teams to the Olympics and will be looking for a knockout against each other to advance to the Final of the tournament in the Peace and Friendship Stadium, SEF. Croatia and the Dominican Republic shape the second Semifinal in Greece.
In Riga, host Latvia made it to the next round without injured Kristaps Porzingis and is set to face Cameroon, after Brazil and the Philippines battle it out in the first Semifinal.
In San Juan, only one of the European powerhouses, Lithuania and Italy, fit in the Final. Host Puerto Rico meets Mexico in the second Semifinal.
In Valencia, Spain hopes to use the homecourt advantage against Finland and progress to the Final. Also 2-0 in the group stage, the Bahamas takes on Lebanon.
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Schedule
Piraeus
- Greece – Slovenia (6/7, 16:30 CET)
- Croatia – Dominican Republic (6/7, 20:00 CET)
- Final (7/7, 20:00 CET)
The winner goes to Group A of the Olympic Games alongside Australia, Canada, and the Valencia OQT winner
Riga
- Brazil – Philippines (6/7, 14:30 CET)
- Cameroon – Latvia (6/7, 18:00 CET)
- Final (7/7, 18:00 CET)
The winner goes to Group B of the Olympic Games alongside France, Germany, and Japan
San Juan
- Italy – Lithuania (6/7, 22:00 CET)
- Puerto Rico – Mexico (7/7, 01:00 CET)
- Final (8/7, 00:00 CET)
The winner goes to Group C of the Olympic Games alongside Serbia, South Sudan, and the United States
Valencia
- Bahamas – Lebanon (6/7, 17:30 CET)
- Spain – Finland (6/7, 20:30 CET)
- Final (7/7, 20:30 CET)
The winner goes to Group A of the Olympic Games alongside Australia, Canada, and the Piraeus OQT winner