Russia avoids US, draws Spain in Olympic basketball

Caracas, July 9 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russia has avoided the United States but has been drawn in a group with European champions Spain for the men's Olympic basketball tournament.

The Russians secured one of the last three berths for the 12-team competition at last week's Olympic qualification tournament in Venezuela, along with Lithuania and Nigeria.

A draw held early Monday in Caracas placed Russia in Group B for the Olympics alongside Spain, host Britain, Brazil, Australia and China.

The reigning champion US team is in with Argentina, France, Tunisia, Lithuania and Nigeria.

Former Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko told R-Sport Sunday that Russia would welcome being drawn with the Americans because it would rule them out as potential quarterfinal opponents.

Spain, defeated by the US in a dramatic Beijing final 118-107, beat France to win the 2011 Eurobasket in September.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

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