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Today marks the fifth and final time four of these 12 teams will compete in the 2012 Olympics. And heading into their final game three of those four already know they're bowing out early - Angola, Great Britain and Brazil. There is only one spot remaining in the quarterfinals and it will be filled by one of the C's - Czech Republic or Croatia. Here's a look at the schedule:
The games:
France vs. Russia
9 a.m. (4 a.m. ET)
Seemingly always opposite each other in the brackets of major international competition of late, France and Russia did not meet in EuroBasket 2011 (which Russia won). The two also did not meet in the 2010 FIBA World Championships. Maybe it's because they got to tussle twice in 2009 EuroBasket, where France took a 72-66 win in qualifying and the pair met up again in the finals, a 57-53 affair won by the French. I guess if those two games are any indication, this should be a fun way to start the final day of pool play.
Angola vs. Czech Republic
11:15 a.m. (6:15 a.m. ET)
The Czechs will more than likely win and be the final team to advance to the quarters, but there's a reason they play the games, right? Right??!
Canada vs. Australia
2:30 p.m. (9:30 a.m. ET)
Will Lizzie dunk again?? That's really all I wanna know.
China vs. United States
4:45 p.m. (11:45 ET)
The top two Group A teams meet in a rematch of a exhibition game on May 12 in Seattle. The U.S. won that game by a score of 100-62.
Croatia vs. Turkey
8 p.m. (3 p.m. ET)
Other than the Czech Republic, Croatia is the only other team with the potential to advance, but crazy things would have to happen to make that reality.
Great Britain vs. Brazil
10:15 p.m. (5:15 p.m. ET)
The battle for 12th place will round out the women's competition from the Basketball Arena. I, personally, am rooting for the home team.
The standings:
| Group A: | Group B: |
| * 1. United States (4-0) | * 1. France (4-0) |
| * 2. China (3-1) | * 2. Australia (3-1) |
| * 3. Turkey (3-1) | * 3. Russia (3-1) |
| 4. Czech Republic (1-3) | * 4. Canada (1-3) |
| 5. Croatia (1-3) | 5. Great Britain (0-4) |
| 6. Angola (0-4) | 6. Brazil (0-4) |
The knockout round:
The bracket sets up in the traditional fashion with the quarterfinals schedule as follows:
Tuesday, Aug. 7 - O2 Arena
Group B #2 vs. Group A #3
2 p.m. (9 a.m. ET)
Australia vs. China should probably kick off the semis.
Group A #1 vs. Group B #4
4:15 p.m. (11:15 a.m. ET)
This will very likely be a North American quarterfinal with the U.S. and Canada.
Group A #2 vs. Group B #3
8 p.m. (3 p.m. ET)
Probably Turkey vs. [Russia/France] - I'd probably go with Russia.
Group B #1 vs. Group A #4
10:15 p.m. (5:15 p.m. ET)
The Czech Republic will be 'rewarded' by squeezing into the field by facing the winner of Group B, France maybe?
The semifinals will take place on Thursday with the medal games coming on Saturday.