OQTW – London roll call lengthens

ANKARA (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women) – There’s just one last remaining ticket left for the Olympic Games after four teams booked their place in London on an absorbing and emotional quarter-final day inside Ankara Arena.

Hosts Turkey and Croatia arguably made the biggest splash by becoming Olympic women’s basketball nations for the first time in their respective histories although for the latter, it was at times, a near heart-stopping roller-coaster ride.

They eventually sneaked past Canada 59-56 whereas Turkey had the upper hand against Argentina and always looked comfortable as they rode out 72-58 winners.

Similarly intense was Czech Republic against Japan with the Czechs surviving a terrific second half comeback by Japan to eventually prevail 53-47 and book their third successive Olympic appearance.

France were the most comfortable performers of the day as they made the Games for the first time since way back in Sydney during 2000 with an 80-63 victory against Korea thanks mainly to 19 points from Sandrine Gruda.

Argentina, Canada, Japan and Korea will now fight it out for the last remaining Olympic place.

Meanwhile Petra Kulichova of Czech Republic had another reason to celebrate after being crowned Tissot Most Valuable Player Of The Tournament.

FIBA