France Triumphs Over Japan in Thrilling Overtime Victory
In an exhilarating clash on the basketball court, France emerged victorious, narrowly defeating Japan 94-90 in overtime. The fourth-and-a-half minutes of the extra period belonged entirely to Victor Wembanyama, who astonishingly scored all of his team's points during that span. Wembanyama’s overall contribution to the game was crucial, amassing a total of 18 points.
The game had seemed to be slipping away from France until a dramatic turn of events occurred with just 10 seconds left in regulation. Matthew Strazel became the hero of the moment, pulling off an audacious four-point play to force the game into overtime, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.
Japan, despite Rui Hachimura’s early ejection with eight-and-a-half minutes remaining, put up a valiant fight. Hachimura had been a force to be reckoned with before his exit, recording 24 points on 10-for-16 shooting in just 28 minutes. In his absence, Yuki Karamura carried the load for Japan, leading all scorers with 29 points.
Canada Outlasts Australia in a Show of Resilience
Elsewhere on the court, Canada displayed remarkable determination to overcome Australia, clinching a 93-83 victory. RJ Barrett was the linchpin of Canada's success, notching a team-high 24 points on 8-for-15 shooting in 25 minutes. Barrett also contributed significantly on the defensive end, pulling down seven rebounds and making five assists and two steals. Canada's coach, Jordi Fernandez, praised Barrett, saying, “He's that guy... Sometimes, I don't call plays for him and he just scores.”
Australia struggled particularly in the third quarter, committing nine of their 18 total turnovers in this period alone, which proved costly. Despite their errors, some standout performances were key in keeping the game competitive. Jock Landale was formidable, securing 16 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists. Josh Giddey also showed prowess, racking up 15 points by halftime. However, veteran Patty Mills had a tough day, managing only eight points on 2-for-10 shooting.
Spain Holds Off Greece in a Hard-Fought Contest
In another gripping encounter, Spain held their ground against a resilient Greece team, finishing with an 84-77 victory. Santi Aldama was instrumental for Spain, scoring 19 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. His efforts were complemented by Lorenzo Brown, who facilitated the offense with 10 assists along with seven points. Reflecting on their defensive strategy, Spain's coach Sergio Scariolo remarked, “We thought we’d keep it for the very end of the game.”
Despite trailing by as much as 16 points in the first half, Greece staged an impressive rally. Giannis Antetokounmpo was the linchpin of their effort, delivering a masterclass with 27 points on 12-for-17 shooting, along with 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals. His exceptional performance earned high praise from his teammate, Spain guard Dario Brizuela, who acknowledged, “He's our best player, and he knows it.”
These riveting games highlight not only the spectacular individual performances but also the tactical brilliance and resilience of the teams involved. From last-minute heroics to strategic defensive plays, the matches provided a robust demonstration of the competitive spirit that defines international basketball.