With the quarter-finals of basketball at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in the rear-view mirror, the semi-finals are around the corner as two teams look to guarantee their spot on the podium as they continue battling for the gold medal on 8 August at Bercy Arena.
A few days after Germany got the better of France in the final game of group play, the home nation will have a chance for revenge in the nation’s capital. Both sides are coming off comfortable victories in the quarter-finals, France winning 82-73 over Canada and the Germans beating Greece 76-63.
Franz Wagner and Dennis Schroder were potent against France in their previous matchup, combining for 52 points. It is also important to note that France could utilize a different starting lineup than they did in the first matchup against Germany, as they replaced Rudy Gobert and Evan Fournier in their first five against Canada.
The other semi-final will also be a rematch, this one being between the United States and Serbia. Team USA has not been challenged yet at the Games, steamrolling Brazil in the quarter-finals. On the other hand, Serbia is coming off one of the most intense games of the tournament, beating Australia in overtime after trailing by as many as 24 in the first half.
In their first matchup, both teams’ opening game of group play, Team USA beat Serbia by 26 points. Kevin Durant and LeBron James combined for 44 points, while Nikola Jokic scored 20 points, five rebounds and eight assists.