BILBAO/GRAN CANARIA/GRANADA/SEVILLA (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Nine teams have clinched places in the Round of 16 at the FIBA Basketball World Cup and plenty of others will attempt to join them on the last day of the Group Phase.

Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Greece, Lithuania, Senegal, Slovenia, tournament hosts Spain and defending champions USA have all booked their places in the next round which will tip off in Barcelona and Madrid this weekend (Saturday 6-Sunday 7 September).

In Wednesday's action, Iran kept their hopes alive of progressing from Group A with a 88-73 triumph over Egypt in a battle of winless teams. Brazil sealed their passage to the next round with an 81-73 victory over Serbia, while Spain pulled away from France 88-64.

In Group B, Puerto Rico finally broke into the win column with a 77-73 triumph over the winless Philippines, and Argentina guaranteed their appearance in Madrid in the Round of 16 with an 81-46 success against Senegal. Greece remained unbeaten with a 76-65 victory over Croatia to leave Jasmin Repesa's side with a lot of work to do to advance in the tournament.

Other than the USA having taken first place in Group C with a 106-71 win over the Dominican Republic, second, third and fourth place have yet to be determined. That's because New Zealand won for the first time, downing Ukraine 73-61, and Turkey came from 17 points down to stun Finland in overtime, 77-73.

In Group D, Slovenia stayed unbeaten after a hard-fought 93-87 triumph over Angola, who have lost three straight since an opening day win over Korea. Australia claimed their third victory with a 70-62 win over Mexico, and Lithuania bounced back from a setback to the Boomers with a 79-49 rout of the Koreans.

The last seven teams to make up the field for the Round of 16 will be determined on Thursdaym the last day of the Group Phase.

Here is what's at stake.

Group A
Spain and Brazil are sure of finishing in first and second place even if they lose to Serbia and Egypt, respectively. Egypt are eliminated. Serbia, France and Iran are playing for the remaining two spots to advance to the Round of 16.

Spain: Sure to finish in first place.
Brazil: Sure to finish in second place.
Serbia: Can finish third if they win against Spain and if France lose to Iran. Can finish fourth if they lose to Spain and France beat Iran.
France: Need to beat Iran to reach Round of 16. Can finish third with a win.
Iran: Need a win. Can beat France and qualify if Serbia beat Spain. Should Spain beat Serbia, Iran can beat France and force a three-way tie.
Egypt: Eliminated.

Group B
Greece, Argentina and Senegal have advanced to the Round of 16, while the Philippines are eliminated. Croatia and Puerto Rico will battle for the last available spot for the next round.

Greece: Can finish in first place with a win over Argentina.
Argentina: Can finish in first place with a win over Greece. If they lose, they can drop to third place if both Croatia and the Philippines win.
Croatia: Need a win against Puerto Rico. Can finish in second place with a win and if the Philippines and Greece win.
Senegal: A win against the Philippines will see them finish in third place.
Puerto Rico: Need a win against Croatia. A defeat eliminates them.
Philippines: Eliminated.

Group C
The USA will take first place irrespective of the outcome of their game against Ukraine. The other five teams are still in the hunt for the three other places in the Round of 16. Ukraine, Turkey and the Dominican Republic can take the second place, while Finland and New Zealand can take third or fourth place.

USA: Sure to finish in first place.
Dominican Republic: Can finish in second place if they beat Turkey and if the USA beat Ukraine. If they lose and Ukraine also lose, they can finish in third or fourth place.
Turkey: Will take second place if they beat Dominican Republic and the USA beat Ukraine. Should they lose and Ukraine also lose, they can finish third or fourth.
Ukraine: Can finish in second place if they beat the USA. Should they lose they can finish in third or fourth place.
Finland: Can take third or fourth place if they beat New Zealand. A loss eliminates them.
New Zealand: Can take third or fourth place if they beat Finland. A defeat eliminates them.

Group D
Australia, Lithuania and Slovenia are guaranteed to fill places 1-3, while Angola, Korea and Mexico will finish somewhere between 4-6.

Slovenia: Can take first place if they defeat Lithuania.
Lithuania: Can take first place with a win over Slovenia.
Australia: Regardless of whether or not they beat Angola, their placing will rely on the result of the Slovenia-Lithuania clash. If Lithuania lose, Australia will finish second.
Mexico: A win over Korea will secure fourth place, while a narrow loss coupled with Angola losing to Australia will also guarantee a place in the Round of 16 in Barcelona.
Korea: Must beat Mexico by more than 17 points to have any chance of progressing to the Round of 16. However, that result becomes void if Angola defeat Australia.
Angola: A win over Australia will see them advance to the Round of 16 if Korea beat Mexico.

FIBA