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Serbia, Croatia and France Qualify For Rio Olympic Games

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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At the start of the week there were 18 teams vying for three spots, Serbia, Croatia and France are the teams who won their tournaments and are off to the twelve the Rio Olympic Games.

Bogdan Bogdanovic
Bogdan Bogdanovic shot the ball very well off the bench for Serbia at the FIBA World Cup. (Photo Credit: FIBA photo) /

Serbia

The Olympic Games are less than a month away and final three teams have earned their spots in Rio de Janeiro via qualifying tournaments.

Serbia hosted Puerto Rico, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Japan and Angola and none of them were able to beat their host.

Puerto Rico came closest in the opening round, challenging Serbia before losing 87-81. In the second round Serbia then demolished Angola 83-60.

In the semifinals Serbia beat the Czech Republic by even more, 96-72. In the final they had a rematch with Puerto Rico, embarrassing  them 108-77 to finish out the tournament with strength.

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Nikola Jokic

won the tournament MVP. In 20.4 minutes he averaged 17.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.

Serbia showed their strength with both Bogdan Bogdanovic and Jokic leading the scoring with 17.8 points per game each.

Jokic was also leading the leading rebounder of the tournament with 7.5 per game. Bogdanovic showed his all around game finishing sixth in the tournament in rebounds with 5.3 per game.

Bogdanovic showed us his true talent by coming second in assists with 6.0 per game.

Serbia were deserved winners of the qualifying tournament and will threaten most teams in the Rio Olympic Games. They are in the strong Pool A with Team USA, China and Australia.

Next: Italian Qualifier