(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
In a thrilling quarterfinal match at the Paris 2024 Olympics, France emerged victorious over Canada with a score of 82-73, securing their place in the men’s Olympic basketball semifinals for the second consecutive time. This win came after a shaky group stage performance and a significant loss to Germany, making the victory even sweeter for the French team and their fans.
Key Performances
Guerschon Yabusele led the French team with an impressive 22 points. His contribution was pivotal after being added to the starting lineup. Victor Wembanyama, who has been a standout player throughout the tournament, showcased his versatility with 12 rebounds, 7 points, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block. Isaia Cordinier also played a crucial role, adding 20 points to the scoreboard.
Team Dynamics and Strategy
French coach Vincent Collet made strategic changes to the lineup following the team’s previous loss. Notably, the coach pulled four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert and Evan Fournier from the starting lineup. Gobert played only three minutes due to an injury he sustained in practice, while Fournier, despite initially being benched, contributed 15 points after coming off the bench late in the first quarter.
The starting lineup of Wembanyama, Yabusele, Cordinier, Nicolas Batum, and Frank Ntilikina provided the team with an early boost, resulting in a 23-10 lead by the end of the first quarter. This early lead proved to be a buffer that helped withstand Canada’s second-half rally. However, France’s strong defense and strategic plays, including a crucial three-pointer from Fournier just inside the half-court line as the shot clock was expiring, ultimately thwarted their efforts.
The Canadian Challenge
Canada, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 27 points and RJ Barrett with 16 points, showed skills throughout the match. They managed to reduce a 19-point deficit to just five points with less than three minutes remaining in the game. Looking Ahead
With this victory, France advances to face Germany in the semifinals, who secured their spot by defeating Greece. The French team is looking to build on their success and improve upon their silver medal finish at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics.
Player and Coach Reactions
Victor Wembanyama optimistically expressed, “We took a lot of time to think and fix things, and the whole team dedicated itself to fixing everything,” regarding the team’s prospects. Now we’ve got a good base to build on for the final phase of the tournament.” Evan Fournier downplayed any ongoing issues with coach Collet, attributing their previous disagreements to the high-pressure environment of competitive sports.
Conclusion
The victory of France over Canada has propelled them to the men’s Olympic basketball semifinals and marks a significant milestone in their Olympic journey, demonstrating their ability to bounce back from adversity and perform under pressure. As they prepare to take on Germany in the semifinals, the French team will be aiming to continue their winning streak and secure a spot in the final, keeping their gold medal hopes alive.
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