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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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Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Dario Saric (Croatia) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number twelve overall pick to the Orlando Magic in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Dario Saric (Croatia) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number twelve overall pick to the Orlando Magic in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Italy

Italy hosted Greece, Iran, Tunisia, Mexico and Croatia in a tournament where any of three teams could have won it from the semi final stage. Croatia came out on top to qualify for the Rio Olympic Games.

Croatia actually lost their first group game to the Host nation Italy 67-60. They bounced back in the second match to beat Tunisia 72-52.

In the semifinals, Croatia had to play the an extremely strong Greece team and took them down, 66-61. In the final, Croatia had a rematch against the host nation Italy, reversing the result with an 84-78 victory.

Dario Saric of Croatia was the winner of the tournament MVP. In 36.2 minutes per game he averaged a double double with 14 points and 10 rebounds per game. He also had 2.2 assists per game.

Bojan Bogdanovic led the tournament in scoring with 24.3 points per game in 36.2  minutes. He led all other scorers by more than five points per game.

Saric was seventh in scoring with his 14.0 points per game in his 36.2 minutes.

Saric was the leading rebounder of the tournament with his 10.0 per game.

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In even better news for the Philadelphia 76ers fans, Saric told a reporter that he would be coming to Philadelphia this season.

Croatia is in Pool B with Spain and Brazil but it is the weaker of the Olympic pools.

Next: Philippines