Fanatics
Showing posts with label Beijing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Beijing. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Making a List and Checking it Twice ....
The New York Times and many other newspapers reported BOCOG's list of FAQ that visitors might have when they plan a trip to Beijing for the Summer Olympic Games. Here's the NYT story and see bwlow for some TL thoughts:
China Lists Dos and Don’ts for Olympics-Bound Foreigners
By KEITH BRADSHER
HONG KONG — Do not bring any printed materials critical of China. Do not plan on holding any rallies or demonstrations in China. Do not think that you are guaranteed an entry visa because you hold tickets to an Olympic event. And do not even think about smuggling opium into China.
That is some of the eclectic advice issued by the Beijing Organizing Committee on Monday, in a document listing 57 questions that foreign visitors to the Olympic Games in August may have: “Does China have any regulation against insults to the flag or national emblems?” “After eating or drinking at restaurants or hotels, if you have diarrhea or vomiting symptoms, how do you lodge a complaint?”
The advisory to foreigners, posted on the committee’s Web site, but only in Chinese, provides answers for each question in a deadpan style. (Burning or soiling the Chinese flag or emblems is a criminal offense; food poisoning symptoms are to be reported to the local health department.) Some of the rules, like a ban on religious or political banners or slogans at Olympic sites, appear aimed at preventing protests of China’s crackdown in Tibet this year and other Chinese policies.
The Beijing Organizing Committee took pains at the start of the document to say that all the answers were based on existing Chinese regulations. The International Olympic Committee had no immediate response on Monday to the rules. Its position on freedom of expression issues as they relate to the Olympics is not entirely clear.
“A person’s ability to express his or her opinion is a basic human right and as such does not need to have a specific clause in the Olympic Charter because its place is implicit,” said Jacques Rogge, the president of the International Olympic Committee, at a meeting in Beijing in April.
But Mr. Rogge also pointed out at the time that the International Olympic Committee had a rule for more than half a century that “no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or areas.”
The advisory issued by the Beijing Organizing Committee includes a ban on bringing into China “anything detrimental to China’s politics, economy, culture or moral standards, including printed material, film negatives, photos, records, movies, tape recordings, videotapes, optical discs and other items.”
All rallies, demonstrations and marches, at athletic sites or anywhere else, are also banned during the Games unless approved in advance by public security agencies, a longstanding policy in China even when no Games or other big events are being held.
Before being awarded the Olympics, China promised in 2001 to improve its human rights record. But China and the International Olympic Committee have never released the text of their contract for the Olympic Games, in contrast with other recent Olympic host cities.
Nicholas Bequelin, the Hong Kong-based China researcher for Human Rights Watch, an advocacy group, said China had chosen a very broad interpretation of the Olympic restriction on political and religious activity. “It is a slippery slope, and the Games in Beijing are testing the limit,” he said.
***
Okay, here's my "to do" list for those departing for Beijing and it might have a few items with a bit of a USA Basketball twist:
1. When you depart USA, be sure you leave the country with at least three healthy point guards and two lethal three-point shooters.
2. Try to leave your country with a men's team that is, at least, as strong as your women's team.
3. Do not PASS Go, Do not stop in Guangzhou.
4. For those staying in the Olympic Village, be sure you do not sleep in dorms close to Aussie swimmers when swimming completes last day of competition.
5. For media, when all the elite athletes claim to be staying in the Village, do not believe them. (Psst: It's not just the basketball teams and you guys have been writing that sorry, old storyline since 1992).
6. For TV types, do not plan a stand-up in front of Tiananmen Square. Trust me, I tried it in a video message to Ed Desser upon his retirement from NBA.
7. Just eat the food, don't ask questions.
8. Do not pack your luggage with anyone named "Pacman."
9. Cubs Fans: Set up your Slingbox, pack your MacBook.
10. When using exit visas, ask this question: "Is the US Presidential election over yet?"
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Looking Ahead ... A PR Firm's Look at the 2008 Beijing Olympics
The latest poll and news release from your friends at the Ogilvy PR group in China, via PR Newswire and the XINHUA News Agency of China:
Overcrowding and Heavy Traffic Cited as Major Concerns
BEIJING, March 10 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- With only two weeks remaining until the start of the 2008 Olympic Torch Relay and a little less than five months to go until the Opening Ceremony, a just-released online survey found enthusiasm and excitement among local Chinese is soaring for the upcoming Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, with pride in China as host of the Games and Chinese athletes potential for Olympic Gold driving much of this excitement.
The Project 2008 Poll, a joint initiative of the Ogilvy Group in China and Millward Brown ACSR, probed Chinese residents in locations along the Torch Relay route in China for their attitudes and opinions regarding the upcoming Olympic Games. Launched in early January, the study utilized Lightspeed Research, Millward Brown ACSR's online China panel, which collected 2,687 responses from citizens aged 12-54 across 20 provinces as well as four major Chinese cities.
The study found nearly three out of four residents (74%) are excited about the forthcoming games, and this interest is high across the board in major Chinese cities. Residents in Guangzhou registered the most excitement (80% being extremely excited or excited), followed by residents in Beijing (79%) and Shanghai (74%). Other areas of the country expressing particularly high excitement were Liaoning and Hebei in the north; and Fujian, Hunan, and Guangxi in the south of China.
"We often see residents in locations outside of the major cities feeling left out of the 'modern Chinese miracle," commented Miles Young, Chairman of the Ogilvy Group in Asia Pacific. "Ironically the further you travel from Beijing and Shanghai, the more enthusiastic the public is (sic), as for them the Olympics is a singular highlight; whereas for wealthier people in the big cities, they have many more things vying for their attention."
"We knew excitement levels were high, but this research confirms that Olympic euphoria is alive and well and rampant throughout China. While the Games will largely be held in Beijing, the Olympics is not all about Beijing, but rather the entire nation and the pride Chinese citizens have in hosting the Games," added Young.
Strong Undercurrent of Patriotism/National Pride
The Project 2008 Poll found Chinese pride high in serving as host of the games, with 72% of the respondents saying they are proud of China, 60% saying they are proud of the Chinese athletes who will participate in the Games, and 66% voicing their hopes for China to win the overall medal count.
This finding correlates with the way Chinese residents categorize the Games when comparing them to the NBA and the World Cup. When asked, "Which of the following attributes best describes your attitude to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, the NBA, and the World Cup?" the most commonly listed descriptor was "entertainment"; 41% saying this of the NBA, 37% relating this to the World Cup, and 30% associating this to the Olympics. Conversely, when connecting these sporting platforms to the attribute "serious," 28% of respondents described the Olympics as a "serious" event, which is much higher compared to the NBA (8%) and the World Cup (13%).
"By describing the Games as 'serious' vs. 'entertaining' we can see Chinese citizens see the Olympics in a different light, and the competition is as much about entertainment as it is about face and respect for China and Chinese athletes," commented Sacha Cody, Account Director of Millward Brown ACSR.
The fervor by which China has embraced the Olympics supports the notion that China is using the Games as a catalyst in its ambition to show the world a new China and gain respect while doing so. With Olympic stadiums near completion, new world-class landmarks such as the CCTV Tower and the Grand National Theater, and Terminal Three of the airport just completed, all demonstrate a new form of ''soft power'' for China.
Despite Optimism, Concerns Prevail
While the results of the study were overwhelmingly positive, residents have expressed concerns over traffic and overcrowding, with 56% saying they are concerned about both of these issues. In addition, nearly 40% of respondents cited pollution in Beijing as a major concern.
National pride also came through as respondents voiced their concerns. Among those surveyed, 36% worried about Chinese athletes not winning their events.
According to Alexandra Oikonomidou, Director of the Ogilvy Group's Olympic Practice in Beijing and a former staff member of the Athens Organizing Committee for the Athens 2004 Games, consumers voiced many of the same concerns prior to the 2004 Olympics. ''Air quality, security, overcrowding and how much Athens was spending on the Games dominated the news for weeks, and even months, before the Games began,'' commented Oikonomidou.
Record Breaking Attendance Levels Expected
The Project 2008 Poll confirmed attendance levels are expected to be at an all-time high. When asked ''are you planning on staying in Beijing/or traveling to Beijing during the Olympic Games,'' only 2% of Beijing residents expressed any desire to leave the city, while 36% of Shanghai residents and 27% of Guangzhou residents plan to travel to Beijing for the Games. Productivity will also be low in Beijing specifically, as 48% of locals plan to take their annual leave during the Olympics.
This is contrary to what transpired during the Athens 2004 Games, where the city suffered in terms of local attendance due primarily to fears of overcrowding and terrorist attacks in advance of the Games.
''Many residents fled the city and returned only after the closing ceremony,'' said Oikonomidou. ''What was surprising to us in Athens was how many residents left and returned to attend the Paralympics. The ticket sales for the Paralympic Games, particularly among local residents, were double the initial sales forecast of 400,000 tickets.''
Sponsorship Views: Local Sponsors Have Much To Gain
In terms of Chinese attitudes regarding sponsors and sponsorship, many residents have welcomed them. When probed about their views towards sponsors, among a number of statements, 87% of the respondents listed, ''Hosting the Olympics is an opportunity for Chinese brands to become international,'' followed by 81% saying, ''I wish there were more sponsors of the Olympics.''
''Clearly sponsor-fatigue has not set in, and Olympic sponsorship is seen as a contributing factor in creating excitement and anticipation among consumers,'' commented Young.
Many experts forecast the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will have a significant impact on the global aspirations of such local brands as Lenovo, Haier and China Mobile, as these companies share Olympic marketing platforms beside world-class brands like Coca-Cola, GE and Johnson & Johnson.
Amongst sponsors with the greatest opportunities, consumers cite plans to purchase mobile phones, property for investment and LCD TVs as the top three goods residents planned to buy pre-Olympics. Post-Olympics, these priorities shift with property for investment or property to live in ranking first after the Olympics.
Television and Internet Leading Channels to Follow the Games
In terms of specific media consumers plan to use to follow the Games, television ranked highest, with 86% saying they will watch the Games live on television. Online media followed at 59%. Interestingly, in terms of Internet usage during the Games, both Shanghai and Guangzhou residents say that they would tune in online at 60% and 61% respectively, followed by Beijing at 52%. Respondents say that they will utilize an average three media to obtain news and information about the Olympics.
This overwhelming interest in the Olympics is consistent with forecasts by media investment agencies in China related to media consumption habits. According to GroupM, WPP's media investment agency in China, television viewership should reach 90% of the country at any given time during the Olympics, with the Opening and Closing Ceremonies expected to be blockbuster performances. This is comparatively high to what was experienced in Greece, with 80% tuning in for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and an average of 40% tuning in during the course of the Olympic period, and consistent with Sydney where 90% of the country watched the Games on television.
In terms of digital media, the Beijing 2008 Games will see record growth. With Internet penetration beyond 210 million residents, according to the latest figures issued by China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), spending on online media is expected to reach RMB17.2 billion, an estimated 62% jump from spending in 2007, according to Neo@Ogilvy, the Ogilvy Group's digital marketing arm.
''Understanding the attitudes, opinions and behavior of local residents towards the Olympics was our prime motivation behind this research, and we conducted this to help guide our client sponsors in developing their brands during this time,'' added Young. ''By understanding media consumption and consumer interest, we can develop meaningful campaigns that look at Olympic sponsorship in a 360 degree way.''
Gold Medals Expected in Table Tennis and Diving Competition
When asked which Olympic sports respondents most like watching, table tennis, diving and gymnastics ranked the top three sports they will follow to witness Chinese athletes' quest for Gold.
China is fielding one of the strongest teams in the table tennis competition for the Beijing 2008 Olympics; with the world's top five-ranked women and top four-ranked men all being Chinese nationals. The prospects for Gold are high as China recently claimed the top spots in both the Men's Team and Women's Team events at the 2008 World Team Table Tennis Championships in Guangzhou held in February of this year.
The Chinese National Diving Team is also among China's strongest teams, wining nine medals in total in Athens, six of which were Gold. Gymnastics, another sport in which China is favored to take home multiple medals, came in as a solid third in terms of local interest to witness Chinese athletes' pursuit of Gold.
Other sports with particularly high interest levels include athletics, badminton, and volleyball. Handball, water polo and softball ranked as the least favorite sports to watch.
Post-Olympics Beijing
While anticipation and excitement are high, there is uncertainty among Chinese people as to what will happen to the city after the Games. Nearly a third (32%) of respondents believe that there will be a cultural and developmental void after the Olympics, and that new construction will go unused. Over-spending is also a major concern, with 25% of respondents saying so.
Sponsors, however, have much to gain. The survey found 57% of respondents saying that the Olympics made them more interested in sponsor brands overall, with 71% responding that they are paying closer attention to advertising by Olympic sponsors than that of non-sponsors.
Similarly, a post-Olympic survey in Sydney just after the 2000 Games found that almost 85% of spectators believed that sponsorship helped make it possible for national teams to attend the Olympic Games, while 59% felt that sponsor activities enhanced their Olympic experience.
Overcrowding and Heavy Traffic Cited as Major Concerns
BEIJING, March 10 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- With only two weeks remaining until the start of the 2008 Olympic Torch Relay and a little less than five months to go until the Opening Ceremony, a just-released online survey found enthusiasm and excitement among local Chinese is soaring for the upcoming Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, with pride in China as host of the Games and Chinese athletes potential for Olympic Gold driving much of this excitement.
The Project 2008 Poll, a joint initiative of the Ogilvy Group in China and Millward Brown ACSR, probed Chinese residents in locations along the Torch Relay route in China for their attitudes and opinions regarding the upcoming Olympic Games. Launched in early January, the study utilized Lightspeed Research, Millward Brown ACSR's online China panel, which collected 2,687 responses from citizens aged 12-54 across 20 provinces as well as four major Chinese cities.
The study found nearly three out of four residents (74%) are excited about the forthcoming games, and this interest is high across the board in major Chinese cities. Residents in Guangzhou registered the most excitement (80% being extremely excited or excited), followed by residents in Beijing (79%) and Shanghai (74%). Other areas of the country expressing particularly high excitement were Liaoning and Hebei in the north; and Fujian, Hunan, and Guangxi in the south of China.
"We often see residents in locations outside of the major cities feeling left out of the 'modern Chinese miracle," commented Miles Young, Chairman of the Ogilvy Group in Asia Pacific. "Ironically the further you travel from Beijing and Shanghai, the more enthusiastic the public is (sic), as for them the Olympics is a singular highlight; whereas for wealthier people in the big cities, they have many more things vying for their attention."
"We knew excitement levels were high, but this research confirms that Olympic euphoria is alive and well and rampant throughout China. While the Games will largely be held in Beijing, the Olympics is not all about Beijing, but rather the entire nation and the pride Chinese citizens have in hosting the Games," added Young.
Strong Undercurrent of Patriotism/National Pride
The Project 2008 Poll found Chinese pride high in serving as host of the games, with 72% of the respondents saying they are proud of China, 60% saying they are proud of the Chinese athletes who will participate in the Games, and 66% voicing their hopes for China to win the overall medal count.
This finding correlates with the way Chinese residents categorize the Games when comparing them to the NBA and the World Cup. When asked, "Which of the following attributes best describes your attitude to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, the NBA, and the World Cup?" the most commonly listed descriptor was "entertainment"; 41% saying this of the NBA, 37% relating this to the World Cup, and 30% associating this to the Olympics. Conversely, when connecting these sporting platforms to the attribute "serious," 28% of respondents described the Olympics as a "serious" event, which is much higher compared to the NBA (8%) and the World Cup (13%).
"By describing the Games as 'serious' vs. 'entertaining' we can see Chinese citizens see the Olympics in a different light, and the competition is as much about entertainment as it is about face and respect for China and Chinese athletes," commented Sacha Cody, Account Director of Millward Brown ACSR.
The fervor by which China has embraced the Olympics supports the notion that China is using the Games as a catalyst in its ambition to show the world a new China and gain respect while doing so. With Olympic stadiums near completion, new world-class landmarks such as the CCTV Tower and the Grand National Theater, and Terminal Three of the airport just completed, all demonstrate a new form of ''soft power'' for China.
Despite Optimism, Concerns Prevail
While the results of the study were overwhelmingly positive, residents have expressed concerns over traffic and overcrowding, with 56% saying they are concerned about both of these issues. In addition, nearly 40% of respondents cited pollution in Beijing as a major concern.
National pride also came through as respondents voiced their concerns. Among those surveyed, 36% worried about Chinese athletes not winning their events.
According to Alexandra Oikonomidou, Director of the Ogilvy Group's Olympic Practice in Beijing and a former staff member of the Athens Organizing Committee for the Athens 2004 Games, consumers voiced many of the same concerns prior to the 2004 Olympics. ''Air quality, security, overcrowding and how much Athens was spending on the Games dominated the news for weeks, and even months, before the Games began,'' commented Oikonomidou.
Record Breaking Attendance Levels Expected
The Project 2008 Poll confirmed attendance levels are expected to be at an all-time high. When asked ''are you planning on staying in Beijing/or traveling to Beijing during the Olympic Games,'' only 2% of Beijing residents expressed any desire to leave the city, while 36% of Shanghai residents and 27% of Guangzhou residents plan to travel to Beijing for the Games. Productivity will also be low in Beijing specifically, as 48% of locals plan to take their annual leave during the Olympics.
This is contrary to what transpired during the Athens 2004 Games, where the city suffered in terms of local attendance due primarily to fears of overcrowding and terrorist attacks in advance of the Games.
''Many residents fled the city and returned only after the closing ceremony,'' said Oikonomidou. ''What was surprising to us in Athens was how many residents left and returned to attend the Paralympics. The ticket sales for the Paralympic Games, particularly among local residents, were double the initial sales forecast of 400,000 tickets.''
Sponsorship Views: Local Sponsors Have Much To Gain
In terms of Chinese attitudes regarding sponsors and sponsorship, many residents have welcomed them. When probed about their views towards sponsors, among a number of statements, 87% of the respondents listed, ''Hosting the Olympics is an opportunity for Chinese brands to become international,'' followed by 81% saying, ''I wish there were more sponsors of the Olympics.''
''Clearly sponsor-fatigue has not set in, and Olympic sponsorship is seen as a contributing factor in creating excitement and anticipation among consumers,'' commented Young.
Many experts forecast the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will have a significant impact on the global aspirations of such local brands as Lenovo, Haier and China Mobile, as these companies share Olympic marketing platforms beside world-class brands like Coca-Cola, GE and Johnson & Johnson.
Amongst sponsors with the greatest opportunities, consumers cite plans to purchase mobile phones, property for investment and LCD TVs as the top three goods residents planned to buy pre-Olympics. Post-Olympics, these priorities shift with property for investment or property to live in ranking first after the Olympics.
Television and Internet Leading Channels to Follow the Games
In terms of specific media consumers plan to use to follow the Games, television ranked highest, with 86% saying they will watch the Games live on television. Online media followed at 59%. Interestingly, in terms of Internet usage during the Games, both Shanghai and Guangzhou residents say that they would tune in online at 60% and 61% respectively, followed by Beijing at 52%. Respondents say that they will utilize an average three media to obtain news and information about the Olympics.
This overwhelming interest in the Olympics is consistent with forecasts by media investment agencies in China related to media consumption habits. According to GroupM, WPP's media investment agency in China, television viewership should reach 90% of the country at any given time during the Olympics, with the Opening and Closing Ceremonies expected to be blockbuster performances. This is comparatively high to what was experienced in Greece, with 80% tuning in for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and an average of 40% tuning in during the course of the Olympic period, and consistent with Sydney where 90% of the country watched the Games on television.
In terms of digital media, the Beijing 2008 Games will see record growth. With Internet penetration beyond 210 million residents, according to the latest figures issued by China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), spending on online media is expected to reach RMB17.2 billion, an estimated 62% jump from spending in 2007, according to Neo@Ogilvy, the Ogilvy Group's digital marketing arm.
''Understanding the attitudes, opinions and behavior of local residents towards the Olympics was our prime motivation behind this research, and we conducted this to help guide our client sponsors in developing their brands during this time,'' added Young. ''By understanding media consumption and consumer interest, we can develop meaningful campaigns that look at Olympic sponsorship in a 360 degree way.''
Gold Medals Expected in Table Tennis and Diving Competition
When asked which Olympic sports respondents most like watching, table tennis, diving and gymnastics ranked the top three sports they will follow to witness Chinese athletes' quest for Gold.
China is fielding one of the strongest teams in the table tennis competition for the Beijing 2008 Olympics; with the world's top five-ranked women and top four-ranked men all being Chinese nationals. The prospects for Gold are high as China recently claimed the top spots in both the Men's Team and Women's Team events at the 2008 World Team Table Tennis Championships in Guangzhou held in February of this year.
The Chinese National Diving Team is also among China's strongest teams, wining nine medals in total in Athens, six of which were Gold. Gymnastics, another sport in which China is favored to take home multiple medals, came in as a solid third in terms of local interest to witness Chinese athletes' pursuit of Gold.
Other sports with particularly high interest levels include athletics, badminton, and volleyball. Handball, water polo and softball ranked as the least favorite sports to watch.
Post-Olympics Beijing
While anticipation and excitement are high, there is uncertainty among Chinese people as to what will happen to the city after the Games. Nearly a third (32%) of respondents believe that there will be a cultural and developmental void after the Olympics, and that new construction will go unused. Over-spending is also a major concern, with 25% of respondents saying so.
Sponsors, however, have much to gain. The survey found 57% of respondents saying that the Olympics made them more interested in sponsor brands overall, with 71% responding that they are paying closer attention to advertising by Olympic sponsors than that of non-sponsors.
Similarly, a post-Olympic survey in Sydney just after the 2000 Games found that almost 85% of spectators believed that sponsorship helped make it possible for national teams to attend the Olympic Games, while 59% felt that sponsor activities enhanced their Olympic experience.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
The Number of Bids ...
A little math to get the discussion started.
For men's basketball at the 2008 Olympics, there are two berths each for the Americas and Europe. The Americas region consists of 28 countries total with 10 competing in the Tournament of the Americas for the two berths. In Europe, there are some 49(+) countries with 16 competing in Eurobasket 2007 to gain the two berths.
Oceania (Australia), Africa (Angola) and Asia (Iran) each send only one rep through the regional qualifiers. Asia, by the fact that China will play host, gets an extra berth and Europe, via reigning world champion Spain, gets its second berth.
Three bids are left to be determined at a tournament to be staged next summer, July 7-13th. That tourney is the brainchild of FIBA as they will seek rights fees, promoter guarantees and lucrative TV and media rights for staging the new (and improved) concept.
The teams that finish as runners-up in their respective regional tourneys will get invites to the FIBA pre-Olympic qualifying tournament, to be held next July at a site to be determined. (A site in Europe seems to make the most sense, as four of the 12 teams will be from Europe and their fans will certainly support the event).
As noted, this is the first time this system is being utilized. In prior years, the number of teams was determined by the success of the entire region at the previous major tourney. So, I remember when China upset Spain in the final preliminary round game at the '94 World Championship in Hamilton, Canada, it cost Europe an extra slot for a team at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Another example was New Zealand's fourth place finish at the 2002 Worlds which helped New Zealand and Australia both qualify for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
The viewpoint; The pre-olympic tourney is a great marketing idea but will take its toll on the teams competing on the basketball side. The three teams that qualify will need to train and prepare, then travel to the site of the pre-Olympic tournament. From there, they will have the decision to return home for a brief break, then fly to Beijing for the Olympics. Logistics will be tough and the three teams will be exhausted. They will, however, have some confidence and momentum leading up to the Olympic Games. The pre-Olympic tournament will be intense preparation, unlike the many 'friendlies' staged prior to big championships.
The drawback will be the time zone issue, which might make FIBA consider staging the tournament in the likes of Seoul and Japan. (Japan, by way of its eighth place finish in the zone qualifier just completed, does not have a chance for the pre-olympic event).
I would consider adding a third qualifying bid to Europe to make up the difference of the number of countries (49+) competing for berths and limit the pre-olympic qualifying tourney to provide for two (not three) berths.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Asian Hoops - It's Showtime
In TOKUSHIMA, Japan, the basketball action is heating up. And when Japan upsets Jordan to vault Kazakhstan into contention for a berth in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, you know it's a good thing, don't you?
And Kazakhstan's opponent in the semis? Iran.
The seeding system called for a 3-day quarterfinal round, rather than the more traditional 'one and done' quarter-finals of the Olympics or World Championship.
And what shakes me a bit, is that the system for qualification (or presentation, as it is known) is different in the varying FIBA zones.
But, as I can gather, - I stress gather, because it's been known to change during the course of a tournament - the one rep from the Asian zone will come from the winners of a 4-team semi-final:
Lebanon vs. Korea
Kazakhstan vs. Iran
The following teams were relegated to a classification tourney to decide 5-8th place:
Qatar vs. Jordan
Japan vs. Chinese Taipei
China fell to play for 9th place, but they had already gained a place in the Olympics as host team. So, really, at least two teams from Asia will play in Beijing in 2008.
Stay tuned for more or click above and watch the games on the internet.
And Kazakhstan's opponent in the semis? Iran.
The seeding system called for a 3-day quarterfinal round, rather than the more traditional 'one and done' quarter-finals of the Olympics or World Championship.
And what shakes me a bit, is that the system for qualification (or presentation, as it is known) is different in the varying FIBA zones.
But, as I can gather, - I stress gather, because it's been known to change during the course of a tournament - the one rep from the Asian zone will come from the winners of a 4-team semi-final:
Lebanon vs. Korea
Kazakhstan vs. Iran
The following teams were relegated to a classification tourney to decide 5-8th place:
Qatar vs. Jordan
Japan vs. Chinese Taipei
China fell to play for 9th place, but they had already gained a place in the Olympics as host team. So, really, at least two teams from Asia will play in Beijing in 2008.
Stay tuned for more or click above and watch the games on the internet.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Jordan defeats China
The qualification process for the Beijing Olympic basketball tournament has begun. The Asian region is playing in Japan. China (host) and Spain (reigning World Champs) have already qualified.
The preliminary round began today and Jordan came out of the blocks with an upset over China and took a step towards possible qualification. There's a lot of basketball to be played before the preliminaries turn into the medal round semifinals with the Olympic berths on the line. Two teams from Asia will qualify in this process.
See Asia Basket's blog entry on the game result:
The preliminary round began today and Jordan came out of the blocks with an upset over China and took a step towards possible qualification. There's a lot of basketball to be played before the preliminaries turn into the medal round semifinals with the Olympic berths on the line. Two teams from Asia will qualify in this process.
See Asia Basket's blog entry on the game result:
Jordan started the FIBA-Asia Championship (Tokushima, Japan 28 JUL - 5 AUG) with a big win over China 78-65 before few hours in the opening game of Group A.
Nashama's players were in the better side in 1st quarter despite being behind at the end of it 17-18 by a shot from Ming Yang, Rasheim Wright (193-G-81, college: District of Columbia) scored in this quarter 10 points.
Islam Abbas's explosive performance especially in defense helped Jordan to take the lead from the beginning of 2nd quarter which were played most of it with Jordanian bench players Wissam Sous, Fadel Najjar and Zeid Abbas, All of them were adding a big help for Sam Daghlas and Zaid Al Khas to end the quarter leading 35-30, Chinese players tried their best in this quarter to stay in the game's atmosphere especially from Qian Wu and Ke Li.
Third quarter was the key of the Jordanian win after they succeeded to increase the margin to 11 points 60-49 thanks to Wright and Al Khas who scored most of his point in it, Adding to the huge performance from Islam Abbas in rebounding and Daghlas in smart assists, Chinese players had suffered from foul trouble so much which added more pressure on the keys Yang and Lei.
Li Yi began the 4th quarter with 4 consecutive points and that gave the chinese the willing to win again, But quickly Jordan's coach Mario Palma found the strategy and the way for keeping the range, Wright was the star of the last quarter after scoring most of the team's point to lead the game which ended 78-65 in scoring with 31 points.
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