France Advances to Men’s Basketball Gold-Medal Game at 2024 Paris Olympics
In a riveting and hard-fought semifinal clash, France’s men’s basketball team secured their place in the gold-medal game at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a 73-69 victory over Germany. The win marks a historic moment for the host nation, as it is the first time since the 1996 Atlanta Olympics that a host country has advanced to the gold-medal game in men’s basketball.
The journey to the final was anything but straightforward for France. The group stage brought its fair share of turbulence, including a narrow escape against Japan and a significant loss to Germany. Yet, the French team demonstrated resilience and tenacity, defeating Canada in the quarterfinals and avenging their earlier setback against Germany in the semifinals.
As the game progressed, France appeared to be in control, but Germany was far from conceding. Facing an early scare, the French watched a 13-point lead shrink, with Germany closing the gap late in the game. Key to France’s success was the performance of rising star Victor Wembanyama, who finished the game with 11 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and three blocks. Despite hitting only 4 of 17 from the floor, Wembanyama’s defensive prowess was instrumental in securing the victory.
In a critical moment during the fourth quarter, Wembanyama blocked a potential game-tying 3-point attempt by Germany’s Dennis Schroder. Frank Ntilikina followed this defensive stand by nailing a crucial three-pointer, extending France’s lead. Wembanyama again thwarted Schroder, this time on a drive towards the rim, further solidifying his impact on the game.
The contributions came from all corners of the French squad. Guerschon Yabusele led the team with 17 points, also grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out two assists. Isaia Cordinier proved invaluable, adding 16 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals. These performances were bolstered by Mathias Lessort, who played significant minutes off the bench, and a strategic decision by head coach Vincent Collet to sit Rudy Gobert, who saw limited playing time with only five minutes against Germany and three minutes against Canada.
Germany, resilient as ever, dominated the paint, scoring 28 points inside. Nonetheless, France’s cohesive team effort and strategic defense held firm, ensuring that Germany could not capitalize on their interior advantage.
Reflecting on the emotional victory, Wembanyama said, “The fans made it hard for me not to cry.” His sentiments underline the significant emotional and historic weight of the moment for the French team and its supporters. The young star also emphasized the importance of their upcoming challenge, saying, “It’s a chance to write history.”
With the victory, France now eagerly awaits the outcome of the USA-Serbia semifinal match to determine their opponent in the gold-medal game. The French team comes into this final with the wound still fresh from their gold-medal game appearance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where they failed to clinch the top spot.
As the host nation, France carries the hopes of a nation longing for its first-ever gold medal in men’s basketball at the Olympics. The upcoming final isn’t just about winning—it’s an opportunity to etch their names in the annals of Olympic history and perhaps inspire future generations of French basketball talent.