Semifinals began in FIBA Olympic qualifying on Saturday, with 16 teams vying for the final four spots in the Tokyo Olympic Games. The qualifying tournaments are taking place in Belgrade, Serbia, Kaunas, Lithuania, Victoria, Canada and Split, Croatia.
Finals in each of the four Olympic Qualifying Tournaments will be contested on Sunday, July 4.
Saturday’s Semifinals Schedule and Results*
Lithuania: Slovenia 98, Venezuela 70; Lithuania 88, Poland 69
Serbia: Italy 79, Dominican Republic 59; Serbia 102, Puerto Rico 84
Croatia: Brazil 102, Mexico 74; Germany 86, Croatia 76
Canada: Czech Republic 103, Canada 101; Greece 81, Turkey 63
*All times listed in Eastern Time
Victoria, Canada: Czech Republic 103, Canada 101
Chicago Bulls guard Tomas Satoransky banked in a game-winning jumper with one second remaining in OT to punch Czech Republic’s ticket to the final Sunday, and send the Canadians home.
The Semifinal thriller was controlled by Czech Republic most of the way until a miraculous comeback by Canada in the final minutes of regulation sent the contest into a frenzy.
Czech Republic held a 10-point lead with just under a minute remaining in regulation, but a combination of turnovers and missed free throws ignited a furious Canada rally. Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins capped the comeback with a 3-pointer to send it to OT.
Canada led by as many as five in the extra period and looked to be in control, but Czech Republic made a comeback of their own, topped off by Satoransky’s game-winner to knock Canada out of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
NBA Player Performances
Satoransky had 18 points in the win. New York Knicks guard RJ Barret (23), Wiggins (22) and New Orleans Pelicans forward Nickeil Alexander-Walker (21) were Canada’s leading scorers.
Tomas Satoransky beats Canada with OT game-winner
Tomas Satoransky's game-winning bank shot sends Czech Republic to the final
Split, Croatia: Brazil 102, Mexico 74
Brazil cruised past Mexico in the first semifinal of the day in Split, Croatia, thanks to a balanced scoring effort and 53% shooting from the floor.
Vitor Benite led the way with 22 points for the Brazilians, who will face Germany in the final on Sunday after the Germans beat Croatia in their semifinal.
Belgrade, Serbia: Italy 79, Dominican Republic 59
Italy knocked off the Dominican Republic in the first of two semifinal games in Serbia. Forward Simone Fontecchio led the way with 17 points, and the Italians clamped down on defense, holding the Dominican Republic to just 29% shooting from the field (19-for-64) and outscoring them 24-8 in a decisive third quarter.
Italy moves on to the final of the tournament in Belgrade, where they will face Serbia on Sunday.
NBA Player Performances
Golden State Warriors guard Nico Mannion scored eight points, while Dallas Mavericks forward Nicolo Melli chipped in with five.
Kaunas, Lithuania: Slovenia 98, Venezuela 70
Slovenia advanced to Sunday’s final in Lithuania with a convincing win over Venezuela. Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic scored 23 points and racked up 13 assists for the Slovenians, who led throughout.
Guard Mike Tobey was also key for Slovenia, posting a game-high 27 points and 12 rebounds. Slovenia will face either Lithuania or Poland in the tournament final in Kaunas on Sunday.
Luka Doncic scores 23 as Slovenia beats Venezuela
Mavericks star Luka Doncic scored 23 points and hit a mean crossover as Slovenia beat Venezuela to advance to Sunday's final.
Belgrade, Serbia: Serbia 102, Puerto Rico 84
Five players scored in double figures as Serbia pulled away late to to knock out Puerto Rico in Belgrade. Vasilije Micic scored 21 points as Serbia shot 53% from the field and knocked down 12 three-pointers in advancing to Sunday’s final. Isaiah Pinero led Puerto Rico with 23 points.
NBA Player Performances
Miami Heat forward Nemanja Bjelica scored 18 points and grabbed 7 rebounds for Serbia. Dallas Mavericks big man Boban Marjanovic added five points and four rebounds.
Split, Croatia: Germany 86, Croatia 76
Germany edged Croatia in their semifinal matchup in Split, thanks in large part to point guard Maodo Lo, who went off for 29 points and eight assists.
The Germans will face Brazil with a spot in the Tokyo Olympics on the line on Sunday.
NBA Player Performances
Utah Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic put up a game-high 38 points for Croatia. Orlando Magic forward Moritz Wagner scored six points for Germany, and Washington Wizards forward Isaac Bonga added two points in eight minutes of action.
Kaunas, Lithuania: Lithuania 88, Poland 69
Indiana Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis scored 17 as Lithuania got past Poland to advance to the final in Kaunas on Sunday. Memphis Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas added 15 points and eight rebounds.
Poland was led by A.J. Slaughter, who put up 19 points.
Lithuania will take on Luka Doncic and Slovenia with a spot in the Olympics on the line on Sunday.
Sabonis scores 17 to lead Lithuania to final
Domantas Sabonis threw down a fierce jam and scored 17 to lead Lithuania past Poland.
Victoria, Canada: Greece 81, Turkey 63
Turkey dominated the contest early on, holding a 14-point lead at the end of the 1st quarter. But Greece managed to trim the deficit to just seven by halftime, and used a big 3rd-quarter surge to take a 51-47 lead going into the final period.
Greece was even better in the 4th, outscoring Turkey 30-16 to knock them out of the tournament and advance to the final Sunday where they will meet Czech Republic. Greece was led by guard Nick Calathes, who poured in a team-high 18 points.
NBA Player Performances
Philadelphia 76ers forward Furkan Korkmaz paced Turkey with 20 points, including four 3-pointers.
