Paris 2024: Wembanyama magic sparks France past Canada to Olympic semifinals

In front of a boisterous crowd at the Bercy Arena, France defeated Canada, in a ParisOlympic game, 82–73, to go to the Semi-Finals.

In the Semi-Finals, the hosts of the 2024 Olympics will now play Germany, the world champions who sent home Nigerian Freak Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Coach Vincent Collet switched up his lineup, starting Isaia Cordinier and Guerschon Yabusele in place of Rudy Gobert and Evan Fournier on the bench.

Collet also made the decision to play Shai Gilgeous-Alexander one-on-one defense, which Nicolas Batum did a fantastic job of handling early on.

Meanwhile, Cordinier scored 10 points in the opening quarter to build a double-digit lead and limit Canada to 15 points in fifteen minutes.

Even though France 's lead grew to 19 points early in the second half, Canada's head coach Jordi Fernandez refused to let his players quit.

After SGA settled into a groove in the third quarter, Canada took control of the boards and, with four minutes remaining, they closed the score to 65-60 thanks to RJ Barrett's joining the party.

The pivotal moment arrived when Evan Fournier scored seven points in a row, and 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama's block of Dillon Brooks shifted the momentum.

As the shot clock ran down, Fournier sank another three-pointer from half court to seal the victory at the Bercy Arena.