ATHENS (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men) – If Croatia are going to win a spot at the Beijing Games, they will have to do it with 11 players after losing Damir Markota to meniscus injury.

The 2.09 Markota hurt his knee in Monday’s win against Cameroon and has flown home to have an operation.

Markota will be sidelined for at least a month.

The injury has come at an awkward time as the player had yet to sign a contract with any team.

He played last season or Spartak St Petersburg before moving in mid-year to Zalgiris Kaunas.

Croatia also played without Zoran Planinic in their 95-81 win over Puerto Rico on Wednesday.

Planinic, one of Tau Ceramica’s top players in their 2007-08 ACB title-winning campaign, had a fever and upset stomach but is expected to play in Friday’s quarter-final against Canada.

FIBA