Latvia reach Beijing, lose Tare to dislocated elbow

Leva Kublina (Latvia). 1/4 finalsPhoto Gallery>>Latvia cruised past Angola on Friday to reach the Olympics for the first time in the nation's history.

The Baltic country won 84-26 to become the fourth European team to reach the Beijing Games after EuroBasket champions Russia, Spain and the Czech Republic.

The Spanish and Czechs also booked their places in China like Latvia at this week's FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Madrid.

Victory may have come at a cost for Ainars Zvirgzdins' team, though, with veteran forward Ieva Tare going down with a dislocated elbow early in the second half.

Tare had a game-high 25 points in the crucial win over Japan on Wednesday and is vital to the national team.

"She had a dislocated elbow really bad," Gunta Basko said. "She's going to make it back, but I don't know if it will be on time (for the Olympics)."

Anete Jekabsone-Zogota had 20 points to lead Latvia, who broke open a close game in the second quarter when they reeled off 17 consecutive points to lead 30-9.

Raul Duarte's Angola never recovered.

The African side will now take on the loser of Brazil's game against Belarus.

The victor in that clash will advance to a final on Sunday against the winner of the other semi-final between Japan and Cuba.

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