Perennial world basketball powers Spain and Argentina can lock up spots in the 2012 Olympics through regional qualifying tournaments that begin this week. wholesale nfl jerseys . Two spots are available in EuroBasket and another pair in the FIBA Americas tournament. The winner and runner-up in each event will clinch berths in London next July. Three teams have also secured their places in the 12-team field. The defending Olympic champion U.S. was the first by winning the world championship last summer in Turkey. Britain later was awarded an automatic berth by FIBA, basketballs world governing body, as the Olympic host, and Tunisia became the first surprise team by knocking off Angola on Sunday to win the African title. Spain, the reigning European champion, returns Pau and Marc Gasol, and much of the core of the team that won the 2006 world championship and finished second to the Americans in the 2008 Olympics. The Spaniards also added more inside strength with Oklahoma Citys Serge Ibaka, a native of the Republic of Congo who played for Spanish clubs for three years, but must navigate a difficult 24-team field in Lithuania. "The preparation has been good," Spain coach Sergio Scariolo told FIBA.com after a recent exhibition victory over Australia. "We faced the best European teams and with the exception of two or three (games), they have been high-level rivals that have tested us in most games, although we won almost all of them." Despite the NBA lockout, many teams were able to secure insurance to cover their players in case of injury, allowing top players such as NBA finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki (Germany) and Tony Parker (France) to suit up. Favoured Argentina will have Manu Ginobili and Luis Scola in uniform for the tournament its hosting. The "Golden Generation" is hoping for one last run after winning the 2004 Olympic gold medal and a silver in the 02 world championship. The 10-team FIBA Americas tournament, which includes Canada, starts Tuesday, with the championship game on Sept. 11. Canadas first match is on Wednesday againt Brazil. Seeking its first Olympic berth, the Dominican Republic has turned to Kentucky coach John Calipari and is led by NBA All-Star Al Horford of Atlanta. EuroBasket begins Wednesday and runs through Sept. 18. Tunisia earned its first Olympic basketball berth with Sundays 67-56 victory over Angola, the longtime African power. The Asian qualifier and Oceania one, pitting Australia against New Zealand, will be played later in September. The third through sixth-place teams at EuroBasket, and the teams finishing 3-5 in Argentina will advance to next summers Olympic qualifying tournament, where the final three berths to London will be available. That field also will include two teams from Asia, two from Africa and the loser of the Australia/New Zealand series.cheap jerseys . Greg Chase and Kenton Helgesen also scored for the Hitmen (18-7-4), who extended their win streak to five games, while Brady Brassart chipped in with two assists. cheap jerseys from china . The Spurs announced on Monday that they have re-signed Matt Bonner.EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants placed starting centre David Baas on injured reserve Wednesday after he sustained his third injury this season. Baas hurt his left knee for the second time in 2013 on the final play of the opening series Monday night in the Giants 23-7 win over the Minnesota Vikings, their first victory of the season. The nine-year veteran hurt the knee in the preseason and also suffered a neck injury that caused him to miss three other games. He played in only three of the seven games. Third-year pro Jim Cordle will replace Baas, who is in his third season with New York. "Its very frustrating, to say the least," Baas said. "You work so hard. We said we cant catch a break.&quuot; Baas re-injured his knee on Monday night when he was leg-whipped by a linebacker. wholesale jerseys. . "You kind of know right away when you get that feeling," Baas said. "I was hoping it wasnt anything worse, but its definitely bad enough to where its come to this." He is the second starting offensive lineman to go on injured reserve. Right guard Chris Snee was lost for the season with a hip injury on Oct. 4. The Giants did not immediately fill Baas roster spot. They re-signed linebacker Darin Drakeford to their practice squad. He was on the squad from Oct. 8-15. Drakeford takes the place of linebacker Emmanuel Acho, who was signed earlier this week to the Eagles active roster. cheap jerseys ' ' '
