France Advances to Olympic Basketball Final with Narrow Victory Over Germany

PARIS (AP) — In a thrilling semifinal match, France triumphed over Germany with a score of 73-69, securing their place in the men’s Olympic basketball gold medal game. Guerschon Yabusele was instrumental in the victory, contributing 17 points, while Isaia Cordinier added 16 points. Victor Wembanyama also made a significant impact, finishing the game with 11 points and seven rebounds. This win marks France's second consecutive appearance in the Olympic final, following their silver medal performance in Tokyo three years ago. The match took place in front of an enthusiastic home crowd, underscoring the significance of the event for the host nation. France will now prepare to face the winner of the upcoming semifinal between Serbia and the United States, with the gold medal match scheduled for Saturday. The anticipation builds as fans eagerly await the showdown. On the other side, Germany's Dennis Schroder led his team with 18 points, but their journey in the tournament came to an end with this loss. The defeat halts an impressive streak for the German team, which had been on a remarkable run, winning 12 consecutive games in major international competitions since their World Cup victory last year. As the Paris Games continue, France's victory not only highlights their basketball prowess but also sets the stage for an exciting final, with the potential for a historic home-court advantage.