Olympics: Nuggets Gallo & Jokic advance in qualifying play
By Drew Albee
With three-quarters of the teams already set in the Rio Olympics’ 12-team field, competition for the final three spots is heating up in FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament play around the world this week. Three members of the United Nations of Nuggets are participating in FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in an attempt to help their nations qualify for this summer’s Olympics in Rio. Danilo Gallinari (Italy), Nikola Jokic (Serbia), and Joffrey Lauvergne (France) are all still fighting for a spot in the Olympics.
#FIBAOQT play kicked off around the world earlier this week, on Monday in Turin, Italy and Belgrade, Serbia and on Tuesday in the capital city of the Philippines — Manila. The winner of each tournament cements their spot in the field in Rio.
Luckily enough, our Denver Nuggets have a player participating in each of the three tournaments, meaning there is a chance for all three players to advance still. Danilo Gallinari and Italy play at home in Turin, Serbian sensation Nikola Jokic also has the benefit of fighting to qualify at home — in Belgrade. Unfortunately for the Nuggets’ forward Joffrey Lauvergne and his French teammates, they have to travel a great distance — to Manila in the Philippines — on their road to the Rio Olympics.
All three Nuggets played a role in helping their countries not only win their group, but also advance to the semi-finals of each tournament.
On Friday, Jokic and his Serbian team, as well as Gallinari and the Italians faced semi-final games in Europe. Let’s see how they played.
Next: Italy vs. Mexico in Turin