ARG - Mar del Plata ready for FIBA Americas

MAR DEL PLATA (FIBA Americas Championship) - Ten teams will compete in Mar del Plata at the FIBA Americas Championship for one of two berths in the London Games.

Teams placed third, fourth and fifth are given spots at the World Olympic Qualifying tournament next year, with two final Olympic berths on the line.

The 2004 Olympic Champion and 2002 World runner-up, Argentina will host FIBA Americas for the first time since 2001, when they won the tournament and a spot to Indianapolis World Championship.

United States have already qualified to London Games as World Champions and will not take part of the tournament.

Brazil are the defending champions. They beat host Puerto Rico in the final at the 2009 FIBA Americas. Argentina placed third and earned the last spot for Turkey 2010.

All the 40 games will be played at the Polideportivo Islas Malvinas Stadium, which is located in Mar del Plata, a city 400km away from Buenos Aires.

The stadium, with a capacity of 8500, has been partially renewed and will count on a four-side led screen.

During the preliminary round, four games will be played every day, two in the morning session and two in the night session.

The four top teams of each group will advance to the quarterfinal round that gives four semifinal spots.

Group A: Brazil, Canada, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Cuba.

Group B: Argentina, Puerto Rico, Panama, Uruguay, Paraguay.

FIBA