Germany, France, and Canada Secure Spots in Knockout Stage
Germany, France, and Canada Secure Spots in Knockout Stage
Germany, France, and Canada have each secured their spots in the knockout stage of the tournament, leaving fans on the edge of their seats with high-octane performances. Team USA still holds a chance to join the qualifiers by winning their crucial match against South Sudan on Wednesday. The current format allows the top two teams from each group to advance, along with the two best third-place finishers.
Germany's Dominance
Germany clinched their quarterfinal berth with an 86-73 victory over Brazil, propelled by an outstanding performance from Dennis Schroder. Schroder scored 20 points and six assists, leading his team with both precision and passion. This triumph not only affirmed Germany's formidability but sent a clear message to their competition.
France Edges Out Japan in Overtime
In a gripping overtime thriller, France emerged victorious against Japan. Victor Wembanyama was pivotal in the extra period, contributing eight out of his 18 points during overtime. Matthew Strazel was the catalyst for extending the game, forcing overtime with a stunning four-point play with just 10 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
“We could've easily given up down four with 10 seconds. We had no solution, and we got a crazy shot from Matthew. Sometimes, God is on your side,” reflected Nicolas Batum on the dramatic win. Yuki Kawamura's valiant effort for Japan, scoring a game-high 29 points, was a highlight, as was Rui Hachimura’s strong showing of 24 points on 10-for-16 shooting before being ejected.
Canada's Steady Climb
Canada followed suit, solidifying their place in the knockout stages with a 93-83 win over Australia. RJ Barrett led the scoring for Canada, amassing 24 points on 8-for-15 shooting in just 25 minutes. Australia's position as the second-place team in Group A ensures they remain in contention.
“He’s that guy. Sometimes, I don’t call plays for him and he just scores. That’s what he does," coach Jordi Fernandez said of Barrett's performance. "Probably, I should be better and call more plays for him, but he finds a way.”
Spain's Valiant Effort
On another front, Spain emerged triumphant over Greece with an 84-77 victory. Giannis Antetokounmpo put forth a powerful performance with 27 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals for Greece, but it was not enough to secure a win.
“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,” said Sergio Scariolo of Spain's strategic gameplay.
The competitive spirit and tactical maneuvers are evident as teams head into the knockout stages, promising more exhilarating basketball ahead. Each game so far has shown that no lead is safe, and every second counts in this intensely contested tournament.
