Germany, France, and Canada have punched their tickets to the knockout stage, each securing impressive victories along the way. The competition's format will see the top two teams from each group advance, along with the top two finishers in third place, tightening the race and heightening the excitement.
Germany Overcomes Brazil
Germany secured their spot in the quarterfinals with a commanding 86-73 win over Brazil, propelled by an outstanding performance from Dennis Schroder. Schroder led the charge with 20 points and six assists, showcasing his playmaking ability and leadership on the court.
The victory solidifies Germany's position and underscores their potential as a formidable contender. "We could've easily given up down four with 10 seconds. We had no solution, and we got a crazy shot from Matthew," reflected the team's drive and resilience, embodied by the contribution of younger players like Matthew Strazel.
France Battles Past Japan in Overtime
France emerged victorious against Japan in a thrilling overtime showdown. Victor Wembanyama, the burgeoning star, scored eight of his 18 points during the overtime period, pivotal in securing the win. Matthew Strazel played a critical role by forcing the game into overtime with a dramatic four-point play in the final 10 seconds of regulation.
French forward Nicolas Batum emphasized the team's never-give-up attitude, stating, "We could've easily given up down four with 10 seconds. We had no solution, and we got a crazy shot from Matthew. Sometimes, God is on your side." Japan's Yuki Kawamura scored a game-high 29 points, while teammate Rui Hachimura impressed with 24 points on 10-for-16 shooting, despite being ejected late in the game.
Canada Pushes Past Australia
Canada clinched their spot with a solid 93-83 win over Australia. RJ Barrett led the charge for the Canadians, scoring 24 points on 8-for-15 shooting in just 25 minutes. This victory places Canada firmly in contention as they move forward in the tournament.
Australia, despite the loss, remains in second place in Group A. They fought hard but couldn't match the depth and execution displayed by Canada. Australian coach Brian Goorjian noted, "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."
Spain's Triumph Over Greece
Spain achieved a significant victory against Greece with an 84-77 win. Giannis Antetokounmpo was sensational for Greece, accumulating 27 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals. However, his efforts were not enough to overcome a resilient Spanish team.
Spanish coach Sergio Scariolo revealed strategic decisions that played a part in their victory: "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."
The drama continues to unfold as Team USA gears up for a critical match against South Sudan on Wednesday. A win would secure their spot in the knockout stages, adding yet another layer of intrigue to an already captivating tournament.