2012 Olympic Qualifying Tournament

[Mojado2]

2-8 July
(The games probably will take place in Puerto rico.)

It might bee too soon for a thread like it, but let's see which countries will fight to earn one of the three first places that leads to London's Olympic games.
FIBA EUROPE.
Russia
Lithuania
Greece
FYR of Macedonia

FIBA AMERICAS
Puerto Rico
Venezuela
Dominican Republic

FIBA OCEANIA
New Zealand

FIBA AFRICA
Angola
Nigeria

FIBA ASIA
2 UNKNOWN counties so far.

As far as I can see the basic candidates for the first three places are from FIBA EUROPE.
Russia Lithuania Greece and Fyrom.
Of course Puerto Rico still remains a basketball power in America, and they can upset some of the 4 european teams above.

As for the other countries I don't see how they can get it to London. Of course we might have surprises as well. Take nothing for granted.

If this tournament goes down in Puerto Rico, you can count Puerto Rico in to win this one. The fans do cheer as hell, witnessed it myself.
Dominican Republic has also a chance to be very competitive. All they have to do is to get rid of the coach. They need to learn how to defend. And they need a PG since Sosa wont be back at 100% I guess.

Nigeria...Alabi,Udoka,Uzoh,Udoh,Aminu brothers,Lawal,Diogu,Akognon,Umeh,Eze, Oyedeji,Obasohan...the list is long...all they need is MONEY.

 

[Panathinaikos bc2]

Greece will be stronger in 2012 with the addition of Spanoulis Shortsianitis Perperoglou and Mavrokefalidis.

Let's not forget that Greece played with a lot of absentees.
Then again with full roster, we didn't make it very well in the last WC so nothing is for granted !!

But in general, the European countries looks stronger. Even the surprise of the Eurobasket, Fyrom. They have a solid team, and no one knows if they can do it again.

If they won't make it, it will be the first time in Olympic games, that the ex Yugoslavian basketball ''school'' won't have a country in the tournament.

Serbia Croatia Bosnia Slovenia are all out !!!

 

[sixama232]

We can take nothing for granted but, the basic candidates to reach the London's Olympic games are from the FIBA EUROPE zone.

Russia
Lithuania
Greece
and FYR of Macedonia.

Puerto Rico and Angola can be strong opponents as well. (I don't know how strong is the Puerto rico this year though. )

I don' t think so...
This olympic qualifying tournament is different than the one in Athens 4 years ago. National teams from America are stronger. Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic have better squad than FYROM. If Puerto Rico gets the tournament, that will be a great advantage for them. Venezuela is also competitive. It seems that Musselman has done a very good job and Vasquez is a great leader.

African teams are also dangerous, especially Nigeria. If Nigerians could bring together all of their USA-based players, they would be very competitive.

 

[Mojado2]

But in general, the European countries looks stronger. Even the surprise of the Eurobasket, Fyrom. They have a solid team, and no one knows if they can do it again.

Did you follow the FIBA Americas Tournament? I guess not.
Argentina won it, but Puerto Rico and the Dominicans did pretty well there and should be counted in when it comes to the tickets.
I dont see Angola getting by any of the countries from Europe or the Americas. Asia wont do anything here as well.

 

[Pistol Pete2]

I heard that Russia offered 5 million Euros in order to host this, while the American countries could only offer 2.5 million. Lithuania was talking about 3 million, so we will see who will host it. If it's going to be hosted any place other than Puerto Rico, I doubt that the non-European teams have a chance.

 

[Luíz for 32]

Russia, Lithuania and Greece, for the good of the game!

The first two seems to be clear favorites even if the tournament would take place this year. Greece with some key players back to the team can make it to the Olympics too.
I cannot see hopeful chances for the other teams (FYROM, PR, DR and maybe China) when facing Euro teams in do-or-die matches...

 

[samer_1_22]

2-8 July
(The games probably will take place in Puerto rico.)

It might bee too soon for a thread like it, but let's see which countries will fight to earn one of the three first places that leads to London's Olympic games.
FIBA EUROPE.
Russia
Lithuania
Greece
FYR of Macedonia

FIBA AMERICAS
Puerto Rico
Venezuela
Dominican Republic

FIBA OCEANIA
New Zealand

FIBA AFRICA
Angola
Nigeria

FIBA ASIA
2 UNKNOWN counties so far.

As far as I can see the basic candidates for the first three places are from FIBA EUROPE.
Russia Lithuania Greece and Fyrom.
Of course Puerto Rico still remains a basketball power in America, and they can upset some of the 4 european teams above.

As for the other countries I don't see how they can get it to London. Of course we might have surprises as well. Take nothing for granted.

Europeans teams are improving fast, they are mostly close to the american.. Especially the spanish team, this team contains 2 complete teams with no weekness.. Europe teams will have a big deal next 2012 olympic tournament

 

[Mindozas6]

We can take nothing for granted but, the basic candidates to reach the London's Olympic games are from the FIBA EUROPE zone.

Russia
Lithuania
Greece
and FYR of Macedonia.

Puerto Rico and Angola can be strong opponents as well. (I don't know how strong is the Puerto rico this year though. )

Angola was dissapointment this year, not that they didn't qualify, but their game level decreased. Surely Cipriano didn't play, but I doubt he could bring them to the level needed to compete for thos 3 spots.
On other teams, well, it's important where the tournament will be held, if in Europe - I'm quite sure it'll be all Europe, if in Americas - we might see some fight from PR or Venezuela.
Also squads are important of course. Will Liths all be healthy (Kleiza), will Greeks bring back their stars. While I'm quite sure that Russia and FYROM will be at their best if possible.

 

[Panathinaikos bc2]

Europeans teams are improving fast, they are mostly close to the american.. Especially the spanish team, this team contains 2 complete teams with no weekness.. Europe teams will have a big deal next 2012 olympic tournament

So far how many European teams, have they win the USA? And I mean the real USA team with the NBA players.

Any way.

I haven't watched any AMERICA games and I can't have an opinion. All I remember from Puerto Rico is the games VS Greece.
And of course the great P.Ortith. (did I spell his name right?)

But it's true the Europe is coming closer to USA style of game. FRANCE and SPAIN they play fast modern basketball. I like it.
Russia and Lithuania are very good teams as well.

Greece is a question mark because we don't know how many of our absentees will play next year.

It will be a very interesting games for sure.

 

[adamosmaki2]

the way i see it Russia is the strongest
then its lithuania and if Kleiza is back along with Russia they will be the strongest teams
Greece with the return of Spanoulis and Perperoglou is gonna be the third team ( if only Schortsianitis and Mavrokefalidis would play i would say Greece is as strong as Russia and Lithuania but i really doubt they will be accepted back to NT )
Then there is Fyrom and Puerto Rico that have a good chance to qualify for Olympics if they win at least one of the 3 strongest teams

 

[Stardusted2]

Russia will get in without a doubt.

Lithuania as long as they dont play like they just did in this tournament.

Greece and Macedonia are the questions. Greece cause they where very inconsistent while Macedonia still surprises me how they even got that far.

Besides Puerto Rico(if they have a complete team), Id be wary of Venezuela, they df. got the offense to make it, they just have to get a better defense.

As for Dominican Republic, well, if they can play as a team they have a better chance of making it, but without a bench it will be tough.

Angola shouldnt be counted out, they been to every Olympics so no matter how bad things look for them, they understand the game better than any team out there. Nigeria has poor chance of making it though.

I know nothing of New Zealand, and 2 games against Australia won tell me much of how good or bad they are.

Last repechage had this as top four teams

Greece
Croatia
Germany
Puerto Rico

And every european country finished first in their respective group (including Slovenia) so every non european country has to step their game up.

Greece will not be the same team in the 2012 OQ games mate. Our main players will return (spanoulis, schortsianitis, mavrokefalidis and who knows about diamantidis, I wouldnt consider it a surprise to be honest).

Greece and Lithuania will fight for first place, and you can quote me on that in the future. To be honest I consider purely based on the players we will have, Greece to take the first place almost certain, but I don't want to sound like I don't respect the other teams. Because I do.

 

[Ciscorlie Horford2]

Sammy mejia said he wants to play, if he does, start running for your life

 

[sixama232]

Sammy mejia said he wants to play, if he does, start running for your life

That would be a great addition for the Dominicans!
Is this the first time that he is going to play for your NT or not?
I have a lot of respect for your players Ciscorlie and i think that you have good chances for the Olympics, especially if the tournament takes place in Puerto Rico.

Greek NT will have Spanoulis and Perperoglou back next year. Mavrokefalides won't be in the team for sure. "Baby Shaq's" case is different. The federation wants him back but coach Zouros doesn't. I don't want him too...

FYR of Macedonia National Federation expressed interest on hosting the Olympic Qualifying Tournament. According to general secretary Dejan Lekic and president Daniel Dimevski, FIBA is asking 3 million euros for the rights of the tournament. They will ask from their central government to help them funding the event.

http://www.ekipa.mk/News.aspx?newsId=792

 

[Straight forward2]

Lithuania, Greece and Russia should be in Olympics in my account.

Since 1992 Lithuania reached top 4 in all Olympic games, tradition must go on

 

[Dtown2]

If the tournament is in Europe I tend to think Russia, and Lithuania qualify. With fyr of Macedonia and Greece fighting it out for the last spot.

If it's in Puerto Rico it becomes a three horse race for the last spot. They definitely get a boost from that home crowd.

 

[efap2]

Hope Lithuania will meet FYROM... Revenge

 

[Panathinaikos bc2]

Hope Lithuania will meet FYROM... Revenge

Well get to the line.
We want revenge first.

 

[Robimkd2]

Macedonian basketball federation with the help from our goverment will bring home the Q-torney to Skopje. This will of course be an huge advantage.

Over the last 12 years we have only lost 1 match in Skopje. Dejan Lekic say no one can beat us in our church.

Our goverment is in no pssitions since our basketball team has become an icon. They simply has to bring home this torney and pay the 5 mili if they want to stay in power . Our gover allready told they will help.

This is our church:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haaLFotRatM

Oficial 8.000 for basketball but last years against Great Britian 10.000. People on forbiden places.

 

[sagenas2]

Macedonian basketball federation with the help from our goverment will bring home the Q-torney to Skopje. This will of course be an huge advantage.

Over the last 12 years we have only lost 1 match in Skopje. Dejan Lekic say no one can beat us in our church.

Our goverment is in no pssitions since our basketball team has become an icon. They simply has to bring home this torney and pay the 5 mili if they want to stay in power . Our gover allready told they will help.

This is our church:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haaLFotRatM

Oficial 8.000 for basketball but last years against Great Britian 10.000. People on forbiden places.

As our one guy from Lithuanian basketball federation told: "root for China because we can't compete with them".

If China wouldn't qualify directly to the Olympics, then probably no other countries have a chance.

And the list of candidates is long...so...too soon to say.

 

[Ciscorlie Horford2]

This is how NBA analyst John Schuhmann rank the teams in this World Olympic qualifying repechage tournamnet.

1. Russia
In qualifying tournament field – 2011 EuroBasket third place
Russia gave the U.S. it’s toughest challenge in elimination play at last year’s World Championship. And at EuroBasket, they were the only team other than Spain to win 10 games, doing it with a stifling defense that only allowed 95 points per 100 possessions. David Blatt‘s squad doesn’t have an offensive star, but they share the ball as well as any team in the world.



2. Lithuania
In qualifying tournament field – 2011 EuroBasket fifth place
A year ago, a young group of Lithuanians surprised everyone by capturing bronze at the World Championship, with their only loss coming to the U.S. in the semifinal. This year, with EuroBasket in their home country, they were a disappointment, losing to Spain, France, and then FYR Macedonia in the quarterfinals.


3. Greece
In qualifying tournament field – 2011 EuroBasket sixth place
With Theo Papaloukas and Dimitris Diamantidis retired from the National Team, Greece’s strength is now on the interior. They proved at EuroBasket that they’re still a strong squad, and they’ve certainly got a shot to capture one of the last three spots at the Olympics. But they just don’t have the firepower to compete with the world’s top teams anymore.



4. Dominican Republic
In qualifying tournament field – 2011 FIBA Americas third place
It took several games for John Calipari‘s squad to find some consistency, but they looked pretty strong in their last few games at Mar del Plata. At next year’s qualifying tournament, they’ll be playing for their first ever Olympic berth in men’s basketball and lacking the international experience of the other contenders for the top three spots.



5. Puerto Rico
In qualifying tournament field – 2011 FIBA Americas fourth place
Puerto Rico fell to the Dominican Republic in the bronze medal game. More disappointing was their performance at last year’s World Championship, losing to the Ivory Coast in their final pool-play game and failing to qualify for the 16-team knockout round.



6. Macedonia
In qualifying tournament field – 2011 Eurobasket fourth place
Behind a strong defense and the play of Bo McCalebb, FYR Macedonia was the Cinderella story of EuroBasket. They’re certainly a candidate for grabbing one of the last three Olympic berths at next year’s qualifying tournament, but you have to wonder if they can repeat what they did in Lithuania



7. Venezuela
In qualifying tournament field – 2011 FIBA Americas fifth place
Venezuela took a step forward with their fifth-place finish in Mar del Plata, but it’s hard to imagine them fitting in the top three at next year’s qualifying tournament. Eric Musselman‘s offense was the most efficient (121 points scored per 100 possessions) at the FIBA Americas tournament, but his team’s defense was pretty awful.



8. New Zealand
In qualifying tournament field – 2011 FIBA Oceania second place
New Zealand got swept by Australia, but this is a team that won three games at last year’s World Championship behind the scoring of Kirk Penney. That included a win over France.



9. Angola
In qualifying tournament field – 2011 FIBA Africa second place
Angola won two games (over Jordan and Germany) at last year’s World Championship before getting crushed by the U.S. in the round of 16. They lost by 11 to Tunisia in the FIBA Africa final.



10. Nigeria
In qualifying tournament field – 2011 FIBA Africa second place
Nigeria looked pretty strong until losing to Angola in the semifinals.



11. Korea
Korea is looking like the third best team in Asia.