OLYW - Qualification and classification: get your maths right

LONDON (Olympics) - With seven of the eight Quarter-Final places having been secured before the last day of the group stage, most teams will go into their last games playing for position within their groups and, accordingly their bracket placings.

Before we start, you can check out FIBA's Official Basketball Rules (p.68)* for the exact rules of classification not explained - or understood - below.

From Group A, USA (4 wins-0 defeats), China (3-1) and Turkey (3-1) are already through.

The remaining teams Angola (0-4), Croatia (1-3) and Czech Republic (1-3) all still stand a chance and will be fighting for the last remaining knock-out round place, although the Croatians and Angola have the odds stacked against them.

Croatia go up against Turkey, while the Angolans and Czechs come face to face.

A victory for the Czechs would see them advance through and condemn the two others (even if Croatia wins, as it would go head-to-head, a game the Czechs won 89-70).

If the Czechs lose, the situation gets a little more complicated.

If the Czechs lose, a win for the Croatians would then bring them through.

But a defeat for both the Czechs (against Angola) and the Croatians would mean that all three would boast 1-4 records.

In this case, it would go down to goal difference* (goals/points scored minus goals/points conceded) as all teams would have one win and one defeat amongst themselves.

Croatia currently boast a zero goal difference, Czech Republic +19 and Angola -19. Croatia would be unable to surpass either the Czechs or the Angolans (and would lose on subsequent tie-breaking rules if Angola won by 19 points).

Accordingly, if Angola win by more than 19 points, Angola go through. If they win by 19 or less, the Czechs go through.

At the top, a USA win would see them get the top spot. A China win would see them get top spot if Turkey loses to Croatia, and a three-way tie if Turkey lose.

In case of a three-way tie, Turkey (3-1) would be unable to come out first due to their negative goal difference.

China would need a stellar performance and beat USA by 30 points or more to grab top spot.

From Group B, France (4-0), Australia (3-1), Russia (3-1) and Canada (2-2) are through. Great Britain and Brazil are out.

Placings in Group B get a little tricky. Boasting a 4-0 record, France look good for top spot.

However should they lose to 2011 EuroBasket champions Russia they could risk finishing in second or even third.

Remember, the second (and fourth) placed team in Group B would most likely see them play USA in the Semi-Finals (wheras first and third would see them face USA in the Final only).

If France and Australia both lost, first place would go to Russia (on head to head).

But if Australia (and Russia) won, it would set-up another three-way tie, with each team having beaten the other.

Having lost to France by four (70-74) and beaten Russia by four (66-70), Australia would only grab top spot with a four point Russian win (on overall goal differential).

Any more than a four-point Russian win would send them take top spot, with any less (between one and three) it would be the French.

*Note: In FIBA Rules of Basketball goal difference is not mentioned. However, in this case of a three-way tie goal average provides the same results as goal difference. Accordingly, it is used here for simplicity's sake.

FIBA