Greece and Croatia earned places at the Beijing Games with big semi-final wins on Saturday and Germany still have a chance to join them if they overcome Puerto Rico in the last game of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Dirk Nowitzki had 30 points and 13 rebounds but it wasn't enough for Germany against Croatia, who won 76-70.

Marko Tomas poured in a team-high 21 for the Croatians, who earned a place at the Olympics for the first time since 1996.

Jasmin Repesa's Croatians overcame the loss of Damir Markota to injury in the opening victory over Cameroon to reach the Summer Games, with players like Kresimir Loncar playing vital roles for the team.

"Everyone gave something for this win," said Loncar, who had eight points and three rebounds.

"We don't have a big star, but we have a team and that is the most important thing. We have good chemistry and our guys played great in this tournament."

Repesa showed he is clearly one of the top coaches in the game.

"This is the biggest satisfaction I would ever imagine -  to qualify for the Olympic Games after 12 years," he said.

"This will be a day to remember for me, at 47, and my family."

Germany had owned Croatia in recent competitions, and Repesa admitted: "This was a very difficult much considering that we hadn't beat Germany for 11 years.

"My players delivered for 40 minutes. For sure we made some mistakes, but when you manage to beat Germany, you can only be satisfied. I would like to thank all the people that supported and believed in us and I promise we will not let them down at the Olympic Games." 

Greece reconfirmed their standing as one of the leading sides in international basketball with an 88-63 blowout win over Puerto Rico in the second semi-final.

Dimitris Diamantidis led six players in double figures with 15 points in their semi-final triumph.

Puerto Rico, who lost Carlos Arroyo to a torn muscle in the second quarter, will now face Germany in the final game of the qualifying event on Sunday with the winner claiming the last place on offer for the Olympics.

Arroyo, his coach Manolo Cintron said, is doubtful for the game.

"We have to handle their guards and create trouble to their balanced inside-outside game," Germany coach Dirk Bauermann said. 

Greece, gold medalists at EuroBasket 2005 and silver medal winners at the FIBA World Championship one year later after upsetting Team USA in the semi-finals, looked as good as they've ever been in Athens this week.

"We have a very good team but whenever you play at home, you have to be concentrated and take energy from the fans' power," said star guard Theo Papaloukas, who had 10 assists to go with his nine points for Greece.

"Everybody considered us favourites, but it's very hard to show it on the court. We were very well prepared and we did the best on the court.

"I think we deserved to take this ticket for the Olympic Games in Beijing."