New Zealand men's basketball team misses Beijing Olympics

WELLINGTON, July 19 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand will not play in men's basketball in Beijing next month.

Earlier on Saturday, Greece beat New Zealand's Tall Blacks men's basketball team with 75-48 in the quarter finals of the last Games qualifying tournament in Athens.

It is the first time since 1996 that New Zealand won't field a men's basketball team at the Olympics.

The other quarterfinal results saw Germany down Brazil 78-65 and Croatia crush Canada 83-62.

The Tall Blacks are vowing to work hard to ensure they are part of the 2012 Olympics in London.