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http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/l ... /arti.htmlWith only one game remaining in the Preliminary Round of the Olympic Basketball Tournament for Men, everyone is trying to work out what teams must do to qualify and what their run in to the Final will look like.
Before we start, you can check out FIBA's Official Basketball Rules (p.68)* for the exact rules of classification not explained - or understood - below.
Group AThe USA (4 wins 0 defeats), Argentina (3-1) and France (3-1) are qualified from Group A, while the last remaining place in the Knock-out Round will go to either Lithuania (1-3) or Nigeria (1-3). Tunisia (0-4) are out.
If Lithuania win against Tunisia, they are through no matter what, as a Nigerian win over France would bring Lithuania and Nigeria level on points. However, having won the head to head, Lithuania would go through.
Neither team, if they qualify, can finish better than fourth.
USA will top Group A unless they lose to Argentina by 17 points or more, in which case the South Americans finish top.
A France win over Nigeria, assuming USA beat Argentina, will secure them second place as they would finish equal on points but beat the Argentinians in their head to head.
Group BHere things are much more straightforward.
Great Britain (0-4) and China (0-4) are out. Russia (4-0) are certain to top Group B.
The winner of Brazil (3-1) v Spain (3-1) will finish second, no matter what.
Australia (2-2) are already certain of finishing fourth.
BracketsThe winners of each group will go on either side of the bracket.
Accordingly, the likely winner of Group A, USA, would play Australia.
The winner of that game would meet whoever emerges victorious from the Quarter-Final between the second-placed team in Group B (the winner of Spain v Brazil) and the third placed team in Group B, in the first Semi-Final.
Russia, winners of Group B, will play the fourth placed team in Group A (Lithuania or Nigeria).
The winner of that game would meet whoever triumphs in the Quarter-Final between the third placed team in Group B (the loser of Spain v Brazil) and the second placed team in Group A, in the second Semi-Final.