Czech Republic are the second team to book their ticket to London after they beat Japan 53-47 at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in the Turkish capital, Ankara.
It willl be their third Olympic tournament and the chance for a much better performance than in Athens in 2004 (5th place) and Beijing in 2008 (7th place).
Petra Kulichova led the victorious Czechs side with 14 points and Eva Viteckova added 10 points. Only Yuka Mamiya scored in double digits for Japan as she scored 16. The Asians though were let down by a poor opening quarter and they never really recovered.
As expected, Czech Republic started well this game creating a 13 point run and controlled the game never letting Japan get many openings as they led 17-4 after one.
The Japanese woke up a little in the second quarter of play but the world championship silver medallists were firmly in control at half-time, up 29-18.
From there on in, the Czechs were comfortable, Japan up more of a fight in fourth quarter and get some hope at the result 43-46 but the victors still looked in control and never panicked, they finished the game and booked their earned Olympic tickets.
