CIS, Croatia Go to 4-2, Will Seek Olympic Berths in Today’s Finals

The Commonwealth of Independent States defeated Germany, 83-68, Saturday to move into a second-place tie with Croatia in the European Olympic qualifying tournament at the Prince Felipe Pavilion.

Alexander Volkov scored 25 points to lead the CIS as it pulled even with Croatia at 4-2. Both teams can clinch berths at Barcelona with victories in final-round games today.

Slovenia got 19 points apiece from Teoman Alibegovic and Slavko Kotnik and stayed in contention with a 73-67 victory over Israel. Croatia beat Italy, 108-62, behind Drazen Petrovic’s 20 points.

Germany and Slovenia, both 3-3, are also in contention for the four Olympic berths to be contested, but they must win today and get help in games involving the CIS and Croatia.

Lithuania, which clinched a berth Friday, started its reserves and still beat Czechoslovakia, 80-73. Lithuania (6-0) rested center Arvidas Sabonis and guard Sarunas Marciulionis for the entire first half and trailed by six points at intermission. But Marciulionis, who plays for the Golden State Warriors, scored 16 points during the second half as Lithuania pulled away.