Germany, France, and Canada have all secured their places in the knockout stage of the tournament, a testament to their dominant performances thus far. Heading into the upcoming matches, each team has showcased remarkable skill, but the final spots are still up for grabs, with Team USA positioned to join them by winning against South Sudan on Wednesday.
Germany's Triumph
Germany's path to the quarterfinals was paved with a commanding 86-73 victory over Brazil. Dennis Schroder led the charge with a stellar performance, scoring 20 points and handing out six assists. Schroder's leadership on the court has been instrumental for Germany, proving particularly vital in crucial moments. This win not only secures their progression but also cements their status as a formidable contender in this year's tournament.
France's Overtime Thriller
France faced a nail-biting overtime battle against Japan, ultimately emerging victorious. The game saw Victor Wembanyama rise to the occasion, scoring eight of his 18 points in the overtime period. Matthew Strazel's extraordinary four-point play with just 10 seconds remaining in regulation forced the game into overtime, exemplifying the team's resilience and never-say-die attitude.
Reflecting on the dramatic finish, Nicolas Batum acknowledged the fortunate turn of events. "We could've easily given up down four with 10 seconds. We had no solution, and we got a crazy shot from Matthew," he said. Batum added, "Sometimes, God is on your side." The victory is another feather in the cap for France, confirming their place in the next stage.
Japanese Standouts
Despite the loss, Japan's Yuki Kawamura delivered a sensational performance, scoring a game-high 29 points. Rui Hachimura also made significant contributions with 24 points on 10-for-16 shooting before being ejected in the latter stages of the game. These efforts might not have resulted in a win, but they highlighted Japan's potential and ability to challenge top-tier teams.
Reflecting on the team's performance, Josh Hawkinson stated, "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 Seals the Deal
Canada continued their impressive run with a 93-83 victory over Australia. RJ Barrett led the Canadian squad with an outstanding 24-point performance, shooting 8-for-15 over 25 minutes. Barrett's scoring prowess has been a cornerstone of Canada's success, with head coach Jordi Fernandez praising his innate ability to find the basket. "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," Fernandez remarked.
This victory puts Australia in a precarious position, as they remain second in Group A, facing an uphill battle to advance without further stumbles. Australian coach Brian Goorjian noted the challenges his team faced, "The concern coming into the game was their pressure and how we handle their pressure. Even though we had depth in those spots, they wore us down physically, and we really had trouble getting into anything in the second half."
European Rivals Clash
In one of the marquee matchups, Spain emerged victorious against Greece with an 84-77 win. Giannis Antetokounmpo's valiant effort for Greece, including 27 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals, was not enough to stave off the Spanish team. Spain's strategic planning and execution under pressure were evident, with Dario Brizuela aptly summarizing the performance of their star player, "He’s our best player, and he knows it. He played an amazing game, and we’re happy for him."
Sergio Scariolo provided insight into their game plan, revealing the tactical decisions made in collaboration with his defensive coordinator, Luis Gil. "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," Scariolo explained.
As the tournament progresses, the anticipation builds for more intense matchups and standout performances. The knockout stage promises to deliver high-stakes basketball, with each team vying for the chance to be crowned champions.