RUS/CZE - Russians, Czechs inch closer to London

Lodz (EuroBasket Women) - Russia and Czech Republic on Wednesday took a step closer to qualifying for the 2012 Olympic Games by winning their EuroBasket Women Quarter-Finals against Latvia and Croatia respectively and will face off in Friday's first Semi-Final.

The results mean both teams will finish with at least a place in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

The winners of the EuroBasket automatic clinch their place for the London Games. Teams finishing in places second through to five will vye with runners-up from the other FIBA zones (Africa, Americas, Asia and Oceania) for the five places on offer at next year's Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

In 2003 and 2007, Russia won the EuroBasket to qualify automatically for the following year's Olympics and, judging by their performance against Latvia, accomplishing the feat for a third time in a row is well within their reach.

Boris Sokolovsky's charges led from start to finish, gradually pulling away to reach the Semi-Final stage at the EuroBasket for the seventh consecutive time.

"It's good to know that we are closer to our goal of qualifying for London," Russia veteran forward Ilona Korstin said afterward. "We came here to win but it's also very important for us to qualify for the Olympics."

Meanwhile, Czech Republic - silver medalists at last year's FIBA World Championship  - used a 33-11 third quarter to pull away from Croatia for a comfortable victory and reach the Semi-Finals at the EuroBasket for the first time since 2005.

This result bodes well for Lubor Blazek's girls. When they reached the last four in Turkey six years ago, they went on to win the tournament.

Jana Vesela hopes they can do just the same this time around.

"It was our first goal to be at least sure fifth to get into the qualification places for the Olympics," she said.

"Now we are in the Semi-Finals and we can look to reach our second goal whici is to reach the Final.

"Now we can play more easily, more comfortably."

Latvia and Croatia still have a chance of featuring in next year's Games in London by taking fifth place and the final berth that comes with it for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

FIBA