Reigning World Champions Germany
showed what they’re made of after beating host team France, 85-71,
to take Group B’s top spot at the Paris 2024 Olympics basketball
tournament in Lille, France.
Germany showed France why they
won the FIBA World Cup last year and became world champions in a
masterclass performance. The Germans outplayed the French in
virtually every facet of the game, including rebounds, assists,
steals, points off turnovers, and points in the
paint.
Germany erected a lead as high
as 24 points, 57-33, as they poured it on in the third. Rising NBA
star Franz Wagner had a huge highlight when he slammed over three
French defenders, drawing ohs and ahs from the crowd and his
teammates alike. France had no answers to Germany’s attack with
point guard Dennis Schroder surgically operating France’s vaunted
twin tower defense Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert.
France found some life in the
4th quarter behind unsung bench hero Isaia Cordinier scoring 10
huge points, including crowd-hyping dunks and show-stopping hustle
plays. The French cut the lead to just 10 points until Schroder and
Isaac Bonga settled things down for Germany to take the
victory.
Wagner and Schroder were
incredible for the World Champions, both scoring 26 points to lead
the Germans’ attack. Meanwhile, French phenom Wembanyama once again
led the team with 14 points and 12 rebounds, however, he had
crucial turnovers that led to momentum-shifting plays for
Germany.
With the win, Germany will end
up 1st in Group B while France finishes second. Germany will now
face Greece in the quarterfinals while France will draw Canada in
another heavyweight matchup for the hosts.
