FRANCE survived a rare off night from the prodigious Victor Wembanyama by putting the cuffs on powerhouse Canada to take an 82-73 win and advance to the semifinals of the men’s basketball tournament of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The hosts didn’t need a big game from their superstar offensively as Guerschon Yabusele and Isaia Cordinier caught fire early in the first. Behind the two, the French jumped ahead 19-5 – a lead they padded up to 19 and never relinquished despite several attempts by Canada to comeback.
The Canadians got to within five multiple times, the last one at 71-66 with 2:14 remaining following a Lu Dort lay-up.
But Evan Fournier responded with five straight points, including the backbreaking shot clock beating three-pointer near the half court to give the French side a 10 point spread with 55 seconds remaining in the game.
With the victory, France now books a date with FIBA World Cup champions Germany – who earlier eliminated Greece, 76-63.
Yabusele led the way for France with 22 points while Cordinier added 20 points. Fournier finished with 15 points, 12 of which coming in the fourth as the hosts survived Canada’s gutsy comeback.
Wembanyama was limited to just seven points on 2-10 shooting, but the 7’5 prodigy made up for it on the aspects of the game, as he hauled down 12 boards and dished out five assists alongside three steals and a block.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way for Canada with 27 points, five rebounds and four assists while RJ Barrett added 16 but despite the talent in the squad’s roster, no other Canadian breached double digits.
The frustration for the Canadians was evident, particularly in their coach Jordi Fernandez who obviously wasn’t happy with the free throw disparity in the game.
France went to the line 42 times, making 33 of their attempts while Canada just went to the line 25 times and made 18.
But free throw disparity or not, France’s defensive stand in this game was undeniable as they limited Canada to 38 percent shooting from the field while taking away their three-pointers as the North American squad finished with just 5-of-21 from beyond the arc.
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