ATHENS (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men) - Greece marched into a quarter-final against New Zealand at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament with another strong display against a good Brazil.

Antonis Fotsis led the Greeks with 18 points as they clinched first place in Group A with an 89-69 victory.

The defeat means Brazil will take on Group B winners Germany and their dynamic duo of Dirk Nowitzki and Chris Kaman.

The Greeks were favourites to advance to the Beijing Games once named as hosts of the qualifying event and nothing they have shown in triumphs over Lebanon and the Brazilians suggests they will fall short.

Tiago Splitter's tough inside play helped the Brazilians keep it close and they trailed 22-20 early in the second quarter.

Things began to unravel midway through the period, though.

Marcelo Huertas, the Brazil playmaker, picked up three fouls and before he was taken out of the game, a confrontation with Greece counterpart Vasilis Spanoulis led to the South American star being slapped with a technical and a fourth personal.

Forced to exit the contest, Greece took advantage by building a 40-30 half-time lead and they held a comfortable advantage the rest of the way.

Splitter had a game-high 20 points in defeat.

FIBA