In a thrilling quarterfinal matchup at the 2024 Paris Olympics, France’s men’s basketball team delivered a gutsy performance to overcome a favored Canadian squad, securing an 82-73 victory and a spot in the Olympic semifinals. The game was marked by the struggles of France’s stars, Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert, but it was the oft-overlooked role players who rose to the occasion, propelling Les Bleus to a hard-fought win.
France entered the game in a precarious position. After being humbled by Germany in their final group-stage contest, they faced a Canadian team that had been unbeaten in Paris. Recognizing the need for change, French head coach Vincent Collet made a bold decision to shake up the starting lineup, benching Rudy Gobert and Evan Fournier in favor of Guerschon Yabusele and Isaïa Cordinier.
“The main reason was the lineup from Canada,” Collet explained. “They always start the game with Dillon Brooks [at the 4] and they play small ball. And I wanted Wemby to start [at the 5], so that’s why I put back Yabusele at the 4.”
This tactical adjustment paid immediate dividends. Cordinier, a former Atlanta Hawks draft pick now playing in Italy, came out on fire, scoring 10 points in the first three minutes of the game. With France opting for a lighter, quicker lineup, their offense flowed more freely, and their defense stifled Canada, which managed just 3-of-15 shooting in the opening quarter. By the end of the first quarter, France held a commanding 23-10 lead, which they extended to 45-29 by halftime.
Canada, led by the dynamic duo of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) and RJ Barrett, refused to go quietly. As France’s shooting cooled in the second half, Canada steadily chipped away at the lead, with SGA finishing the game with 27 points and Barrett adding 16 on efficient shooting. The Canadian team managed to cut the deficit to as little as five points in the fourth quarter, but each time they seemed poised to complete the comeback, they faltered.
Part of the issue for Canada was the lack of support around their star players. Jamal Murray, who had been touted as a key figure in Canada’s gold-medal aspirations, struggled mightily, shooting just 3-of-13 from the floor. Dillon Brooks, who had been reliable earlier in the tournament, also had an off night, hitting just one of his nine shot attempts. With Canada’s bench failing to contribute meaningfully, France’s physicality and depth began to wear them down.
While Wembanyama, the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year, had an uncharacteristically poor shooting night (2-of-10 from the field), his supporting cast delivered when it mattered most. Cordinier, Yabusele, and Mathias Lessort combined for 55 of France’s 82 points, often overpowering Canada’s undersized frontcourt for key baskets and trips to the free-throw line.
In the final quarter, it was Evan Fournier, returning from the bench, who played the role of closer. He scored 12 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter, including a critical three-pointer that effectively sealed the game.
Despite the victory, questions remain about the French team’s makeup. Gobert played less than four minutes in the game, raising doubts about his role in a team now seemingly built around Wembanyama. Additionally, France’s offensive struggles persisted, as they shot just 42% from the field and 32% from beyond the arc.
Nevertheless, France’s resilience and physicality were on full display, exposing Canada’s vulnerability in the paint. Canada, whose core players are still in their mid-20s, will likely return stronger in future international competitions, but for now, the stage belongs to France.
As the 7-foot-4 Wembanyama continues to evolve into one of the sport’s most intriguing talents, it’s clear that France’s success will depend not only on his brilliance but also on the contributions of a supporting cast that showed they could carry the load when needed most. The win propels France into the semifinals, where they will face yet another formidable opponent, with their eyes firmly set on Olympic gold.
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