France Heads to Men’s Basketball Gold Medal Game After Thrilling Win Over Germany at Paris Olympics
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Loading... - Vissarion Novikov
- 09 Aug 2024
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In an electrifying atmosphere at the Bercy Arena in Paris, the French men's basketball team secured their spot in the Olympic gold medal game after a narrow 73-69 victory over Germany. The home crowd, waving blue, white, and red flags, erupted in celebration as France booked a rematch with the United States, who narrowly defeated Serbia in the other semifinal.
France's journey to the Olympic final has been nothing short of spectacular. Following their silver medal finish in the 2021 Tokyo Games, the team was determined to go one step further this time around. Led by Guerschon Yabusele, who scored 17 points, and bolstered by key contributions from Isaia Cordinier and rising star Victor Wembanyama, France overcame a tough German team to reach their second consecutive Olympic final.
The semifinal clash against Germany was a tense and closely contested game from start to finish. Germany, riding a 12-game winning streak in major international competitions, started strong, jumping out to a 12-2 lead. However, France quickly regrouped, thanks to strategic adjustments by coach Vincent Collet, including the early insertion of veterans Evan Fournier and Mathias Lessort.
France managed to close the gap by the end of the first quarter and entered halftime tied at 33 after a 15-8 run in the second quarter. The second half saw France gradually pull ahead, outscoring Germany 38-25 in the second and third quarters to take a 56-50 lead into the final period.
Germany made a late push to close the gap, with Dennis Schroder and Franz Wagner leading the charge. Schroder, who finished with 18 points, kept Germany within striking distance, and Wagner's deep three-pointer with under a minute to play brought Germany within two points. However, a combination of clutch free throws from Frank Ntilikina, Wembanyama, and Cordinier, along with staunch defense, ensured that France held on for the win.
The French fans played a crucial role in their team's victory, creating an electric atmosphere that energized the players. From the opening tip-off to the final buzzer, the crowd was fully engaged, cheering on every basket and defensive stop. The postgame celebrations were a testament to the bond between the team and its supporters, with the entire squad joining the fans in a raucous rendition of "Allez Les Bleus!" after the final whistle.
With their victory over Germany, France now faces a formidable challenge in the gold medal game against the United States. The rematch of the Tokyo 2021 final promises to be a thrilling contest, as both teams are eager to claim the top spot on the podium. For France, the support of the home crowd and the experience gained from their silver medal run in Tokyo will be key factors as they aim for Olympic gold.
France's victory over Germany in the Paris Olympics men's basketball semifinal was a thrilling and hard-fought win that has set the stage for an exciting gold medal game. With the support of the home crowd and a talented roster, France is poised to challenge the United States for the top spot on the podium. As the team prepares for the final showdown, one thing is clear: the entire nation is ready to cheer them on to Olympic glory.
