OQTM - Africa takes on Europe in opening Quarter-Finals

CARACAS (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament) - Both Nigeria and Angola have shown in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament they can beat European opponents, after impressive wins over Lithuania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (MKD) .

But they must step it up a notch on Quarter-Final day as they face the two most impressive teams of the preliminary rounds, Russia and Greece.

Angola start the day trying to beat the relentless Russians, who showed the intensity to match their skill and depth in an impressive 15-point win over the Dominican Republic.

The Africans pulled in 32 offensive rebounds in their two group games, and had an overall rebounding advantage of plus-16. Russia have been even more dominant with 28 offensive boards and a 33-rebounding edge.

The key for Angola appears to be their perimeter shooting. They made 9-of-20 in their 88-84 win over MKD, but just 4-of-25 in their loss to New Zealand.

The battle between Angolan veteran Joaquim Gomes and Andrey Kirilenko shapes as a pivotal one, with Kirilenko averaging 16.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.0 steals so far in the tournament.

Nigeria, coming straight off their stunning upset of Lithuania, must repeat the dose against European powerhouse Greece.

The Greeks have shot an incredible 24-of-48 from long range so far in the tournament on their way to an average of 102.5 points per game.

The key has been point guard Vasileios Spanoulis (16.5 ppg, 6.0 apg), who has directed their offence like an orchestral composer, and the sharp-shooting frontcourt who have made 14-of-29 from behind the arc to spread opposition defences.

Nigeria have at times dominated defensively with their athleticism, and will look to use that to limit the effectiveness of the Greek high pick-and-roll.

Point guard Tony Skinn is one to watch for Nigeria, with his ability to hit from three-point territory (56%) or drive into the smallest of gaps.

It has been scoring by committee so far for the African bronze medallists though, with Skinn, Al Farouq Aminu, Derrick Obasohan and Ike Diogu all averaging between 11 and 13 points per game.

Quarter-Finals schedule

11:00  Russia v Angola
13:30  Greece v Nigeria
17:00  MKD v Dominican Republic
19:30  Lithuania v Puerto Rico
 

FIBA