Germany, France, and Canada have affirmed their dominance on the international basketball stage, securing their spots in the knockout stage after thrilling victories in their respective matchups. Team USA remains in contention, hinging on a crucial upcoming game against South Sudan.
Germany's Dominance
Germany cemented its place in the quarterfinals with a decisive 86-73 victory over Brazil. Dennis Schroder emerged as the driving force behind this triumph, notching up 20 points and handing out six critical assists. The German squad showcased a balanced blend of offense and defense, frustrating the Brazilian side and maintaining their momentum throughout the game.
France Prevails in Overtime Thriller
France displayed remarkable resilience in their nail-biting overtime win against Japan. Victor Wembanyama was instrumental in this victory, scoring eight of his 18 points during the overtime period. The game took a dramatic turn when Matthew Strazel forced overtime with an impressive four-point play just as the clock was winding down in the fourth quarter. Nicolas Batum expressed the astonishment and relief felt by the French team, commenting, "We could've easily given up down four with 10 seconds. We had no solution, and we got a crazy shot from Matthew."
Despite the collective effort by Japan, led by Yuki Kawamura’s game-high 29 points and Rui Hachimura’s significant contribution of 24 points before his ejection, France’s experience and tenacity ultimately edged them past their opponents. "Sometimes, God is on your side," Batum added, reflecting on the unpredictable nature of the sport.
Canada's Solid Performance
Canada continued their impressive run with a 93-83 win against Australia, buoyed by RJ Barrett’s stellar performance. Barrett scored 24 points on 8-for-15 shooting in just 25 minutes, reinforcing his status as a pivotal player for the Canadian team. Coach Jordi Fernandez acknowledged Barrett’s natural scoring ability, stating, "He's that guy. Sometimes, I don't call plays for him and he just scores. That's what he does. Probably, I should be better and call more plays for him, but he finds a way."
Australia, though defeated, remains in second place in Group A, a testament to their consistent performance despite the setback.
Spain's Tactical Edge Over Greece
Spain overcame Greece with an 84-77 victory, in a game that highlighted the strategic acumen of both teams. Giannis Antetokounmpo put up an outstanding effort for Greece, tallying 27 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals. However, Spain’s cohesive gameplay and tactical ingenuity steered them to victory. Sergio Scariolo, Spain's coach, shed light on their game plan, saying, "We thought we'd keep it for the very end of the game... Actually, with Luis Gil, our defensive coordinator, we've been talking a lot about doing it at some point, but we decided to keep it for the very end, because I wanted to keep Willy on the floor, his pick-and-roll with Lorenzo [Brown] is a big weapon for us."
As the tournament progresses, the stakes continue to rise with every game. Teams are not only showcasing individual brilliance but also highlighting strategic depth and collective resilience. While Germany, France, and Canada have already booked their places in the knockout stage, all eyes will be on Team USA as they strive to join this elite group by delivering a win against South Sudan on Wednesday.