The 2024 Paris Olympics Men’s Basketball Tournament delivered a thrilling semifinal matchup between France and Germany, with the host nation emerging victorious in a nail-biting 73-69 win. It was a game that encapsulated the gritty, unrelenting nature of this French team, which has fought tooth and nail to secure its place in a second straight Olympic gold medal game.
Despite the high stakes, it wasn’t French phenom Victor Wembanyama who stole the show. Just as in the quarterfinal win over Canada, Wembanyama struggled to find his rhythm on offense. The 7-foot-4 forward, who has been hailed as the future of French basketball, could only muster 4-of-17 shooting from the field. But once again, Les Bleus showed that they are more than just their young star, leaning heavily on their defense and the unlikely heroics of Guerschon Yabusele and Isaia Cordinier.
Head coach Vincent Collet made a bold decision to stick with the lineup change that paid dividends against Canada. He benched seasoned NBA players Rudy Gobert and Evan Fournier, instead starting Yabusele and Cordinier. The decision proved to be a masterstroke. The duo combined for 33 points on 13-of-24 shooting, leading all French scorers and playing a pivotal role in France’s relentless defensive effort.
France’s defense was the story of the game. After a slow start that saw Germany take an early lead, France clamped down, holding the Germans to just 44 points over the final three quarters. Gobert, a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, was largely shelved due to a lingering finger injury, playing only five minutes. This allowed France to deploy a series of ultra-athletic, switchable lineups that left Germany searching for answers. Dennis Schroder, who had been a driving force for Germany throughout the tournament, was hounded into a difficult 6-of-18 shooting performance.
The French defense was especially dominant in the second and third quarters, where they limited Germany to just 25 points combined. This defensive stand helped France build a double-digit lead heading into the final quarter, but the victory was far from secure. The French offense faltered down the stretch, failing to score a field goal in the last 6:28 of game time, which allowed Germany to mount a furious comeback.
Franz Wagner’s deep three-pointer with 39 seconds left cut the French lead to just two, setting the stage for a tense finish. But Wagner’s missed opportunity on a defensive rebound gave France the lifeline it needed. Wembanyama and Cordinier each sank crucial free throws to seal the win, setting off celebrations in Bercy Arena.
The final buzzer was met with an explosion of emotion. The weight of the moment was palpable, with Wembanyama shedding tears of joy as past French basketball greats like Tony Parker looked on from the sidelines. The victory was a testament to the resilience and depth of this French team, which has battled through adversity throughout the tournament.
France’s journey to the gold medal game has been anything but smooth. They survived a near-upset against Japan, suffered a blowout loss to this same German side in group play, and faced significant challenges in both the quarterfinal and semifinal. But none of that matters now. What will be remembered is the scene in Paris on Thursday, as France secured a chance to fight for Olympic glory on home soil.
Looking ahead, France faces a potential rematch against the United States, the team that denied them gold in Tokyo. Whatever happens in that final, this semifinal victory against Germany will be remembered as a moment of validation, a victory that showcased the heart, grit, and determination of a team determined to make history. For now, the celebration is on in Paris.
