China secured a quarter-final spot in the Olympic men's basketball competition Saturday with a hard-fought 59-55 win over Germany, who as good as sealed their own exit, dpa reported.
China's star Yao Ming scored 25 points, while fellow NBA professionals Dirk Nowitzki and Chris Kaman scored 24 and 10 respectively for Germany.
The Germans, who have never really got going in the competition, face the impossible task of beating the USA in the final preliminary match next Monday to advance.
The USA were to meet Spain in the day's last and much-anticipated group B match of the two group-topping giants. The early group B match saw Greece beat Angola 102-61, Ioannis Bourousis grabbing a stunning 22 points in his 13 minutes on court.
In Group A, Lithuania made it four wins out of four by beating Croatia 86-73, and defending champions Argentina beat table-bottom Iran 87-82 to go group second.
Lithuania took charge in the final quarter with four stunning three-point shots from their second-highest scorer Linas Kleiza.
Australia led throughout for a 95-80 win over Russia, Andrew Bogut and CJ Bruton netting 22 points apiece to go points equal with Croatia, both keeping their quarter-final hopes alive.