It all comes down to this.
On Saturday 10 August, hosts France will take on the might of the United States in the Paris 2024 men’s basketball final, tipping off at 21:30 (CET) – and it comes with plenty of history at stake.
In a rematch of the Tokyo 2020 final, Team USA will be hunting a historic fifth Olympic title meanwhile France, three-time basketball silver medallists, will be looking for their first.
With generational talents including LeBron James, Steph Curry and USA all-time Olympic basketball scorer Kevin Durant on hand, the U.S. will enter the final as the favourite but not without having shown chinks in their once-thought impenetrable armour.
In the semi-finals, a Nikola Jokic-led Serbia led the U.S. for over 35 minutes at Bercy Arena. A heroic 32-15 fourth-quarter charge, led by Curry, ultimately salvaged a 95-91 win but the performance has surely left France inspired.
As for the French unit, the Parisian pursuit started far from perfect but in the last two games, the home team have shown an unmistakable grit that will be essential in tomorrow’s final showdown.
After dispatching Canada’s stacked NBA-styled roster in the quarters, Les Bleus then defeated reigning world champions Germany 73-69 in their semi-final meeting setting up a showdown with Team USA.
The final won’t be easy for Victor Wembanayma and company, but with the home-court advantage and wind in their sails, they are sure to make the gold medal match in Paris a memorable one.