Facing the huge American favorites, the French fought on Saturday, but they had to surrender. They won their second silver medal in a row, after Tokyo in 2021.
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The miracle was not far away for the Blues. The French basketball team lost to LeBron James’ United States on Saturday, August 10, in the Olympic Games final (98-87). Victor Wembanyama’s teammates (26 points) played eye to eye but were unable to keep up with the frenetic pace of LeBron James’ teammates.
Not sure that this will console them, but they still leave with the silver medal, the second in a row after the one won in Tokyo three years ago, also against the Americans. Team USA wins its fifth gold medal in a row.
Even against the host country, the Olympic final belongs to the United States. Led by a Bercy that is still as fiery, and under the eyes of Thierry Henry and Teddy Riner, the Blues were there for the final. But the step was still too high. Not by much, like in Tokyo. But still too high.
However, Victor Wembanyama and Guerschon Yabusele struggled in the first half to keep up with the Americans, especially sniper Devin Booker (12 points at halftime). The “Dancing Bear” even allowed himself to place a huge dunk on LeBron James’ nose, but it was the Americans who took the lead at halftime (41-45).
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Les Bleus failed to embark this final in the scenario that has worked for them in these Olympics: a slow pace, defensive toughness and trench warfare. The United States, for their part, kept their foot on the accelerator, as they like to do. Of course, as soon as they lifted it, the French came back to within a few units. But this is the moment that Kevin Durant (15 points) or Stephen Curry (24 points, 8 out of 12 from three-point range), especially, chose to press it again and keep a ten-point lead.