Germany, France, and Canada have triumphantly secured their spots in the knockout stage, proving their mettle and tactical superiority on the court. Each team showcased an array of star players and intense matches to carve their path to the quarterfinals.
Germany's Commanding Win
Germany clinched their spot in the knockout rounds with an impressive 86-73 victory over Brazil. The standout performer, Dennis Schroder, put up an impressive 20 points and six assists, demonstrating his leadership and skill. This win not only showcases Germany's dominance but also emphasizes their well-rounded team effort. "He's our best player, and he knows it. He played an amazing game, and we’re happy for him," remarked Dario Brizuela, reflecting the cohesive spirit within the German squad.
France's Overtime Thriller
France’s journey to the quarterfinals was anything but straightforward. Their nail-biting victory over Japan in overtime was led by Victor Wembanyama, who scored eight of his 18 points in the extra period. Matthew Strazel's four-point play with just 10 seconds left in the fourth quarter forced the game into overtime, a testament to the never-say-die attitude of the French team. Nicolas Batum acknowledged the almost miraculous nature of their win, stating, "We could've easily given up down four with 10 seconds. We had no solution, and we got a crazy shot from Matthew." He added, "Sometimes, God is on your side."
Despite the heartbreaking loss for Japan, their performance was commendable, with Yuki Kawamura scoring a game-high 29 points and Rui Hachimura contributing 24 points before his ejection. Reflecting on the game, Josh Hawkinson said, "We can fight with any team... To be able to fight until the very end against one of the top teams in the world, that's definitely steps in the right direction for us. No moral victories. We wanted to win."
Canada's Tactical Mastery
Canada's strategic execution was on full display in their 93-83 victory over Australia. RJ Barrett led the Canadian charge, scoring 24 points on 8-for-15 shooting in just 25 minutes. The win not only advanced Canada to the knockout stage but also highlighted their depth and resilience. Coach Jordi Fernandez acknowledged Barrett's brilliance, saying, "He's that guy. Sometimes, I don't call plays for him and he just scores. That's what he does. Probably, I should be better and call more plays for him, but he finds a way."
Despite the loss, Australia remains in contention, showcasing their competitive spirit and tactical acumen that keep them in the hunt for a knockout stage berth.
Spain's Solid Performance
In another high-stakes match, Spain triumphed over Greece with an 84-77 victory. Greece’s Giannis Antetokounmpo put forth a valiant effort, scoring 27 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and adding three assists and two steals. Spain’s strategy of saving crucial plays for the end game paid off, as coach Sergio Scariolo noted, "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."
Spain’s disciplined approach underlines why they remain a formidable force in international basketball, setting them up well for the challenges ahead.
Team USA's Prospect
Amidst the already-qualified teams, Team USA sees a clear path forward: winning against South Sudan on Wednesday secures their place in the knockout rounds. With the top two teams from each group advancing alongside the top two finishers in third place, the competitive structure ensures that only the most consistent and high-performing teams move forward.
As the knockout stage looms, the performances of Germany, France, Canada, and Spain have set a high bar. Each game promises high stakes and electrifying basketball, pivoting on star power, tactical depth, and relentless effort. The coming matches will undoubtedly showcase the best of international basketball, where every point and play counts.