Final Day of the 2012 Olympic Qualifying Tournament

Andrei Kirilenko continued to spearhead Russia's campaign
as they won a slot in the London Olympics.

Russia has qualified for its third Olympic Games, surviving a late scare from a relentless Nigeria to prevail, 85-77, in the semifinals of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

The European bronze medalists looked unstoppable as they opened up a 20-point third-quarter lead, with Andrei Kirilenko (19 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists) involved in everything as usual.

Vitaliy Fridzon (15 points, 3 assists) was also superb, while Alexey Shved (22 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds) was a force offensively, but struggled with Nigeria’s long-armed press, which brought them within striking distance in the final term.

As in the quarterfinals, Ike Diogu (16 points, 12 rebounds) and Ade Dagunduro (16 points, 5 assists) led the way for Nigeria. Al Farouq Aminu was prominent with 13 points, but he coughed up seven turnovers.

Vitaly Fridzon gets a clear lane to the basket
in this breakaway play against Nigeria.

Lithuania kept their unbroken streak of Olympic appearances alive with a dominant 109-83 victory over the Dominican Republic in the Semi-Finals of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Jonas Maciulis stepped up when it mattered with 19 points, while Jonas Valanciunas (17 points), Linas Kleiza (13), Martynas Pocius (12) and Tomas Delininkaitis (11) all scored in double figures as part of a well-oiled offensive machine.

For the Dominican Republic, Jack-Michael Martinez (13 points, 10 rebounds), Al Horford (12), Francisco Garcia (11) and Juan Coronado (10) all contributed on the scoreboard for a team that lacked defensive punch.