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Serbia and Puerto Rico Into The Final Of The Serbian Olympic Qualifier

By Matthew Hallett

BELGRADE, SERBIA - JULY 08: Bogdan Bogdanovic (R) of Serbia in action against Tomas Satoransky (L) of Czech Republic during the 2016 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying basketball Semi Final match between Serbia and Czech Republic at Kombank Arena on July 08, 2016 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)
BELGRADE, SERBIA - JULY 08: Bogdan Bogdanovic (R) of Serbia in action against Tomas Satoransky (L) of Czech Republic during the 2016 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying basketball Semi Final match between Serbia and Czech Republic at Kombank Arena on July 08, 2016 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images) /
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With only one game to go of the Olympic Qualifier, it is down to Serbia or Puerto Rico as to who gets one of the final three Olympic spots open.

Serbia beat the Czech Republic to qualify for the final of the Olympic Qualifier. The match was not close at all, with Serbia prevailing 96-72.

Bogdan Bogdanovic played extremely well, showing why the Phoenix Suns originally drafted him. In 27 minutes he shot 8-of-12 from the field, including 3-of-4 four from three. Bogdanovic scored a game-high 21 points. He also had eight rebounds and three assists in a well-rounded game.

Nikola Jokic played extremely well also. In 20 minutes he scored 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field and 5-of-6 from the line. His eight rebounds also equaled Bogdanovic’s game-high.

Milos Teodosic played well, with 16 points on 6-of-14 shooting in 26 minutes. He also had six assists and three steals.

Miroslav Radulijca, who spent two years in the NBA, had 12 points on 4-of-4 shooting from the field and he completed a perfect shooting night with 4-of-4 from the line. He also had six assists to go with his 12 points.

Good team basketball won the game for Serbia, with their stars stepping up at the right time.

For the Czech Republic, Tomas Satoransky was again one of their best. In his 37 minutes he scored 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting to go with seven rebounds and seven assists.

Jan Vesely was again productive without being a standout. His 26 minutes produced 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting. He also had four rebounds and three steals.

The veteran Jiri Welsch, who played four seasons in the NBA in the middle 2000s, was solid as well with his 23 minutes producing 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting. He also had five assists.

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In the final, Serbia will meet Puerto Rico after they beat Latvia in the more competitive of the two semifinals.

In their semifinal, Puerto Rico beat Latvia, 77-70.

Latvian basketball is in a good place but without their young phenom, Kristaps Porzingis, it was always going to be hard for them to qualify.

Janis Timma was again on of the best for Latvia. His 31 minutes produced 16 points on 7-of-17 shooting. He also had eight rebounds but had five fouls.

Dairis Bertans was also among the best for Latvia, scoring 11 points on 4-of-10 shooting. He also had a game-high seven assists.

Puerto Rico was just too strong as a team. John Holland again was the top scorer for Puerto Rico with 15 points on 7-of-14 shooting in his 30 minutes.

J.J. Barea played 34 minutes and had a complete game. He had 14 points 5-of-13 shooting as well as seven rebounds and five assists.

Carlos Arroyo also had 14 points in only 23 minutes on 5-of-10 shooting. He also had four rebounds and five assists.

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Serbia is now the only unbeaten team in this Olympic Qualifier. They beat Puerto Rico in the group stages 87-81 and with the way that they are playing I can see no reason why they would not win again and clinch a berth in Rio.