In a display of determination and skill, the United States men’s basketball team advanced to the Paris Olympics gold medal final after a dramatic 95-91 victory over Serbia on Thursday. The thrilling semifinal clash saw the Americans stage a remarkable fourth-quarter comeback, keeping their hopes alive for a fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal.
The game, held at the Bercy Arena, seemed to be slipping away from the United States as they trailed by double digits for much of the contest. Heading into the final quarter down 76-63, the American team faced a daunting challenge. However, with their Olympic dreams on the line, NBA superstars LeBron James and Stephen Curry took center stage, electrifying the capacity crowd with a furious rally that ultimately sealed the win.
This is Avengers in real life.#Paris2024 x #Basketball pic.twitter.com/8ymRVxuaK2
— FIBA (@FIBA) August 8, 2024
James and Curry’s leadership and clutch performances breathed new life into the American squad, turning what appeared to be an imminent defeat into a triumph that will be remembered as one of the highlights of the Paris Olympics. The victory sets up a much-anticipated final against France on Saturday, a game that promises to be an intense battle in a hostile environment.
France, buoyed by an electric home crowd, secured their place in the final with a 73-69 win over Germany in a nail-biting semifinal earlier in the day. The French team was led by Guerschon Yabusele, who scored 17 points, and Isaia Cordinier, who added 16 points, including two crucial free throws with just seven seconds remaining to secure the victory.
Reflecting on the win, Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot-3 center and first Frenchman to be taken as the number one overall pick in the NBA draft, spoke of the pride and passion that the French team feels when representing their country. “I think the national team, this jersey brings to us that different energy that we can’t find anywhere else,” Wembanyama said. “We can see how intense we’ve been over the last two games. It’s something that we all feel as patriots. We love our jersey. We love our country.”
Wembanyama also emphasized the team’s commitment to each other, highlighting the unselfish play that has defined their journey to the final. “The will to sacrifice for the team, the will to do the next pass, to do the next play for your teammate—it was always there,” he added.
France entered the semifinal with a sense of urgency, having suffered a loss to Germany in their final group game. Prepared for a battle, the French team found themselves in a tense contest that remained undecided until the final seconds. The French fans, who had arrived at the arena ready to celebrate, were initially subdued when Germany raced to a 12-2 lead. However, the tide began to turn as France clawed their way back into the game, with the crowd erupting when Wembanyama hit the final basket of the half, tying the score at 33-33.
The third quarter saw France harness the energy of the home crowd to take a 56-50 lead, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. With just 40 seconds remaining in the game, France led 70-65, but the tension in the arena heightened when Germany’s Franz Wagner drained a long-range three-pointer to cut the lead to just two points. The French crowd, which had been celebrating moments earlier, suddenly found themselves on edge.
À LA FINALE! 🇫🇷#Paris2024 x #Basketball pic.twitter.com/bYWaC39ECq
— FIBA (@FIBA) August 8, 2024
In the final moments, however, France refused to buckle under the pressure. Cordinier’s two clutch free throws in the dying seconds restored the lead to four points, sparking wild celebrations in the stands. As the final buzzer sounded, the French players were mobbed by their teammates, dancing and celebrating to the deafening roars of approval from the home fans.
With their victory, France now faces the ultimate test in the final against the United States. The matchup between the American Dream Team and the inspired French squad promises to be one of the most memorable moments of the Paris Olympics, with both teams aiming to etch their names into the annals of basketball history. The stage is set for an epic showdown, and fans around the world are eagerly anticipating what is sure to be a thrilling conclusion to the Olympic men’s basketball tournament.
