France Secures Spot in Olympic Gold Medal Game After Thriller Against Germany
In a high-stakes clash that kept fans on the edge of their seats, France’s men’s basketball team triumphed over Germany with a 73-69 victory in the semifinals, earning a coveted spot in the gold-medal game at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This marks a remarkable achievement as it is the first instance since the 1996 Atlanta Olympics that the host nation advances to the gold-medal game in men’s basketball.
The path to this accomplishment was anything but smooth for the French team. During the group stage, France narrowly escaped with a win against Japan and suffered a significant loss to Germany. However, they exhibited resilience and determination, culminating in their quarterfinal victory over Canada, which set the stage for their rematch against Germany.
The rematch against Germany held far more than just a win. It was an avenue for redemption, as France avenged their earlier group stage loss. Despite facing an early scare when Germany closed a 13-point deficit late in the game, the French team managed to hold their ground and secure the win.
One of the pivotal figures in this victory was Victor Wembanyama. The young star finished with an impressive stat line of 11 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and three blocks. However, his shooting efficiency was less than stellar, converting only 4 of his 17 attempts from the floor. Nevertheless, Wembanyama’s defensive prowess shone through in crucial moments of the game. He notably blocked a critical 3-point attempt by Germany’s Dennis Schroder in the fourth quarter, leading to a pivotal three-pointer by Frank Ntilikina that helped seal the game.
Wembanyama continued to disrupt Germany’s offense, blocking Schroder once more on a drive towards the rim. Reflecting on the significance of the victory, an emotional Wembanyama shared, “The fans made it hard for me not to cry.” He further remarked on the team’s focus and sense of purpose, saying, “It’s a chance to write history.”
Germany, not to be outdone, put up a fierce fight, scoring 28 points in the paint against the French defense. Despite this aggressive inside play, the French team’s strategy and rotations paid off. Head coach Vincent Collet made the tactical decision to sit Rudy Gobert, who saw only five minutes of action against Germany and three minutes against Canada in the quarterfinals. In Gobert’s stead, Mathias Lessort played significant minutes off the bench, contributing to France’s defensive efforts.
Leading the team offensively was Guerschon Yabusele, who tallied a team-high 17 points along with seven rebounds and two assists. Isaia Cordinier provided ample support, adding 16 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Their combined efforts ensured that France maintained an edge over Germany throughout the contest.
Now, France awaits the outcome of the USA-Serbia semifinal match to determine their opponent in the gold-medal game. The French team is no stranger to the pressure of competing for an Olympic gold, having contended for the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. However, they have never clinched the top spot in men’s basketball in Olympic history. With a home crowd rallying behind them, the French team now stands on the precipice of potentially historic glory.