France Overcomes Adversity to Defeat Canada in Olympic Basketball

France‘s basketball team turned things around in a big way after a tough loss to Germany, showcasing their resilience in the Olympic tournament. On Tuesday, they faced Canada and came out on top with an impressive 82-73 victory, propelling them into the semifinals.

Victor Wembanyama was a standout performer, scoring 22 points after being moved into the starting lineup. Not to be outdone, Isaia Cordinier contributed with 20 points of his own. The team, eager to build on their silver medal from the Tokyo Games, proved their determination to win.

Coach Vincent Collet made some bold moves by pulling NBA stars Rudy Gobert and Evan Fournier from the starting lineup, which surprised many. Gobert dealt with a minor injury, while Fournier sat out initially due to some comments he made after the loss to Germany. After the game, Fournier played down any concerns about tensions, emphasizing the team’s shared goal of winning.

The strategic changes paid off, with France racing to a 23-10 lead by the end of the first quarter. Although Canada struggled initially, they managed to cut a hefty 19-point lead to just five in the final minutes. However, France held firm, with Fournier hitting a crucial three-pointer to secure the win.

Canada’s star player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, acknowledged the difficulty of playing from behind, despite their efforts to fight back. This defeat meant that Canada remains without a spot in the Olympic final four since 1984, a frustrating streak for the team.