On July 28, in a highly anticipated match-up of Group B at the Paris Summer Olympics men’s basketball tournament, hosts France clashed with Brazil.
The first quarter saw Brazil playing aggressively, with the team excelling under the leadership of Hurthas. Mendel consistently hit three-point shots, allowing Brazil to take an early lead of 12-5. France, led by Valencienga’s powerful offensive play, narrowed the gap to 7-12 but missed their free throws. After both teams struggled with missed shots, Batum successfully scored a three-pointer, leaving France trailing 10-15. Brazil maintained control with their sharp shooting and ended the first quarter leading 23-15.
In the second quarter, the intensity of the game led to injuries, with Valencienga sustaining a scrape. After brief treatment, he returned to the game. Following Valencienga’s three-pointer that brought France within two points (24-27), Brazil called a timeout. The game continued with Valencienga scoring again, making it 26-27. In response, Mendel promptly answered with another three-pointer for Brazil, putting them back in the lead at 30-26. Valencienga then continued his scoring streak, causing chaos in Brazil’s interior defense. Fournier’s three-pointer helped France regain the lead at 39-36. At halftime, France was ahead 39-36.
The third quarter began with France scoring a quick 5-2, leading 44-38. Valencienga and Gobert displayed dominance on both ends of the court. Batum and Gobert’s consecutive scores led to a 50-41 advantage for France, prompting Brazil to call a timeout. A slam dunk from Abasse left France up 54-41. By the end of the third quarter, France had a commanding lead of 57-45.
In the fourth quarter, Brazil narrowed the gap to 50-59, but Valencienga secured three free throws, increasing France’s lead to 62-50. Hurthas’s three-pointer for Brazil interrupted France’s momentum, with France’s Bennett contributing two successful free throws, leaving Brazil down 58-62. As the game progressed, France’s basketball team surged once more, widening the score difference significantly. With time running out, Brazil’s chances of turning the game around diminished, and the outcome became less uncertain.
In the end, France’s men’s basketball team triumphed over Brazil with a final score of 78-66, securing an impressive opening victory.
**Team Statistics:**
**France:**
– Batum: 19 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
– Valencienga: 19 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals
– Ntilikina: 9 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 2 steals
– Fournier: 7 points
– Gobert: 7 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist
– Abasse: 4 points, 2 rebounds
– Lesoit: 4 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
– Koulibaly: 3 points, 2 rebounds
– Delgado: 2 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists
– Albich: 2 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 1 steal
– Codinier: 2 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 steal
– Strazeller: 1 assist
**Brazil:**
– Custodio: 14 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist
– Felicio: 14 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist
– Vertas: 11 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal
– Santos: 9 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals
– Alves: 7 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
– Cardoso: 4 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal
– Dias: 3 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
– G. Paula: 2 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists
– Matheus: 2 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals
– Capochoelo: 4 steals
**Starting Lineups:**
– Brazil: Hurthas, Mendel, Paula, Capochoelo, Dias
– France: Valencienga, Gobert, Batum, Fournier, Strazeller
