France Triumphs Over Germany to Reach Gold Medal Game

The excitement is palpable as the French national basketball team has secured its spot in the gold medal game at the Olympics by defeating Germany 73-69 in a thrilling semifinal match.

This game marked quite a turnaround for France after Germany had earlier defeated them 85-71 in group play. The semifinals allowed France to showcase their resilience, especially after Germany got off to a hot start with a strong lead in the first quarter.

Leading the charge for France was Guerschon Yabusele, who delivered an impressive performance with 17 points and seven rebounds. His efforts were instrumental in not only closing the gap but also allowing France to take a significant lead in the second half.

Despite Germany’s initial momentum, spearheaded by Dennis Schroder and Franz Wagner, France held firm. They managed to outscore Germany in the second quarter, tying the game at halftime and setting the stage for a nail-biting finish.

In the third quarter, Yabusele showcased his skills, scoring crucial points that helped shift the momentum in favor of France. Alongside him, Isaïa Cordinier also played a pivotal role, finishing with 16 points and seven rebounds.

Germany’s efforts weren’t in vain; Schroder led their scoring with 18 points, but struggled with his shooting percentage throughout the game. Meanwhile, Wagner, who started strong, found it difficult to maintain his scoring streak and went scoreless in the second and third quarters.

As the game approached its climax, France managed to hold onto their lead, thanks to strong contributions from players like Victor Wembanyama and Mathias Lessort, who both stepped up in key moments.

Now, France looks ahead to the gold medal game, where they’ll face the winner of the matchup between the USA and Serbia on Saturday, August 10.