COL - Brazil looking to keep streak alive

NEIVA (FIBA Americas Championship for Women) - Colombia are hosting the women's qualifying tournament for the London Games but they aren't the favorites to capture gold.

That label belongs to Brazil, who arrive in Neiva knowing that a top-of-the-podium finish would ensure a spot in next year's Olympics.

The Brazilians have played at every Olympics since 1992 and coach Enio Vecchi is determined to keep that streak alive.

"Our expectations are to have a good pre-Olympic and clinch a place in London 2012," Vecchi said.

"All the players who have been training with the team possess a very good technical level."

One of the country's most famous players, Iziane, asked to be excused from national team duty this summer and therefore will not be in Neiva.

Argentina and Canada, who finished second and third at the FIBA Americas Championship two years ago to clinch spots in the 2010 FIBA World Championship for Women, are also heading to Colombia with one thing in mind and that is to reach the Olympics.

The Canadians will be hoping their recent triumph over Puerto Rico in the second of two warm-up games is a sign of things to come.

Beaten by the same team the day before, Allison McNeill's team hit back for a confidence-boosting, 61-56, victory.

It was their last friendly.

"It was an extremely hard fought game with both teams playing a very high level as both teams head into the Olympic Qualifier," McNeill said.

"It was a good game for us, we were very strong defensively and hit some tough shots.

"There were some good performances from a lot of different people and it was great to see us play that hard and that well.

"We still have to tighten up a few things as things move along but we are looking forward to the next phase."

The three sides would be well advised not to look past Cuba.

While not boasting the size that previous Cuba national teams enjoyed, coach Alberta Zabala has a lot of talent.

He firmly believes that Cuba can beat any opponent.

"We know it will be difficult, but nothing is impossible," said Zabala, who led the Cubans at the 2008 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Madrid.

His side nearly captured the last place on offer for the Beijing Games but fell to Brazil.

In Group A are Chile, Cuba, Argentina, Puerto Rico and Colombia, while in Group B are Jamaica, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and Paraguay.

Saturday is the first day of the FIBA Americas Championship for Women.

By virtue of their world title win last year, the United States qualified for the London Games and therefore will not be taking part in this year's FIBA Americas Championship.

Opening day games: Puerto Rico v Cuba, Brazil v Paraguay, Mexico v Canada and Chile v Colombia.

FIBA