Belarus Women Qualify for Olympic Basketball Tournament

Belarus earned a berth in the women's basketball tournament at the Beijing Olympics, winning its quarterfinal game at a FIBA qualifying tournament in Madrid on Friday. Belarus, which is 30th in the FIBA rankings, beat number four Brazil 86-79 in overtime.

The Belarusians were 13 points ahead in the middle of the third quarter after falling behind by seven points just over six minutes into the game. The Brazilians led 72-67 with less than two minutes remaining in regulation, but Belarus scored five unanswered points and the game went into overtime.

The women’s basketball squad has thus become Belarus’ first team ever to qualify to compete in team ball sports at Olympic Games.

The Olympic tournament will take place in Beijing between August 9 and 23.