Over the weekend the Standard Life GB Men discovered that their opening group game in the Olympics will be against Russia after completion of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Caracas, Venezuela.

 

On Friday evening Angola, Greece, FYR Macedonia and Puerto Rico were all eliminated from contention after they were defeated in the quarter finals. The elimination of the two European nations were probably the most surprising and both led large leads slip as their dreams of the Olympics ended.

 

Greece led by as many as 13 points in the second half against Nigeria, but allowed the African nation back into the contest. Ade Dagunduro hit a clutch three pointer and a pair of free throws inside the last 5 seconds as Nigeria held on for a stunning 80-79 win.

 

FYR Macedonia let an even larger lead slip as they fell to Dominican Republic 86-76.

 

Saturday was the day of the semi finals and saw Russia and Lithuania book a spot at London with impressive victories.

 

Alexei Shved had 22 points to lead Russia to a 85-77 win against Nigeria and five Lithuanians posted double figures as they dominated Dominican Republic 109-83.

 

That left Nigeria and Dominican Republic to battle it out on Sunday for the lone remaining spot in the Olympic Games and it was the Africans who came out on top with an 88-73 victory, led by 25 points from Ike Diogu.

 

Following the tournament a draw was held to assign the three teams to groups in the opening round of the Olympics and Lithuania and Nigeria were drawn in Group A, with Russia joining GB, Spain, Australia, China and Brazil in Group B.