Belarus edge Brazil in OT to reach Olympics

Olga Masilionene (Belarus). 1/4 finalsPhoto Gallery>>Belarus beat Brazil 86-79 in an overtime thriller to reach the Olympics for the first time.

In an incredibly dramatic last game, Brazil captain Iziane refused to enter the game in the second half following a heated discussion at half-time with coach Paulo Bassul and has been dropped from the national team.

“I don’t have anyway out,” Paulo Bassul, the Brazil coach said.

“As a leader, I have to make difficult decisions. She didn’t say no just to me, but the group and the country.

“I don’t know about the future.”

Brazil still have a chance to reach the Beijing Games.

They take on Angola on Saturday and if they prevail, the South Americans will take on the winner of Cuba’s game with Japan for the final spot on offer for China at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

In the last quarter-final on Friday, the Brazilians trailed by 13 points in the third quarter but stormed back with a ferocious full-court press and took a five-point lead.

Karla, the veteran guard, came off the bench to score all 17 of her points in regulation over the final two quarters.

Brazil had a chance to win with a 72-70 lead at the end and possession but failed to get a good shot off and turned the ball over to Belarus with less than seven seconds remaining.

Bassul wanted pressure coming out of a timeout but instead, the team fouled Belarus and in a crazy finish, Olga Masilionene and Anastasiya Verameyenka each split two at the line to level the score.

Brazil still had time to rush the ball up the floor but the inbounds pass was stolen by Nataliya Trafimava and she looked to have a chance to hit a running jumper in the lane but lost control of the ball and it went out of bounds with the game going to overtime.

Once in the extra period, Verameyenka scored the first basket to put Belarus in front and they outscored the Brazilians 14-7 the rest of the way.

Karla led all scorers with 22 points while Natallia Marchanka had 21 for Belarus.

(Credit: FIBA. Click here for further information.)