As the knockout stage of the tournament draws near, Germany, France, and Canada have cemented their spots, leaving Team USA with a crucial match against South Sudan to join the ranks of the advancing teams. According to the format, the top two teams from each group, along with the top two third-place finishers, will proceed to the next round. With this structure, the competition has delivered intense and memorable performances.
Germany clinched their quarterfinal place with a commanding 86-73 victory over Brazil. Dennis Schroder played a pivotal role, scoring 20 points and delivering six assists. This win further solidified Germany's standing as a formidable contender.
France's Overtime Triumph
France's journey to the knockout stage was marked by dramatic flair, defeating Japan in an overtime thriller. The game saw a standout performance from Victor Wembanyama, who netted eight of his 18 points during overtime. His teammate, Matthew Strazel, was crucial in forcing the extra period with a stunning four-point play in the final moments of regulation.
"We could've easily given up down four with 10 seconds," Nicolas Batum reflected. "We had no solution, and we got a crazy shot from Matthew. Sometimes, God is on your side."
Despite Japan's valiant effort, led by Yuki Kawamura and Rui Hachimura, who were exceptional with 29 and 24 points respectively, France demonstrated resilience and adapted when it mattered most. Hachimura, in particular, showcased his scoring prowess with an efficient 10-for-16 shooting performance over 28 minutes before an unfortunate ejection cut his game short.
Canada Overcomes Australia
Canada also secured their spot with a convincing 93-83 win against Australia. RJ Barrett spearheaded the Canadian offense, scoring 24 points on 8-for-15 shooting in just 25 minutes. Australia's efforts kept them in the game, securing second place in Group A despite their loss.
Spain's Solid Victory Over Greece
In another noteworthy game, Spain emerged victorious over Greece, finishing with an 84-77 scoreline. Giannis Antetokounmpo's efforts for Greece, which included 27 points, 11 rebounds, and a handful of assists and steals, were not enough to sway the outcome. Spain's balanced approach and consistent execution proved superior.
Reflecting on the intense rounds and performances of standout players, Josh Hawkinson of Japan emphasized the significance of close contests, stating, "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."
Insight from Coaches
Coaching strategies and adjustments have also been key factors in these critical matches. Jordi Fernandez highlighted the spontaneous scoring abilities of his players, saying, "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."
Meanwhile, Brian Goorjian addressed the challenges faced by Australia, noting the impact of high-pressure defense: "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."
Dario Brizuela offered praise for his standout players, conveying the sentiment shared by many: "He’s our best player, and he knows it. He played an amazing game, and we’re happy for him."
Strategic decisions also played out during Spain's match, as Sergio Scariolo recounted a tactical choice: "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 knockout stage promises more high-stakes action and, with these thrilling preliminary matchups, fans can expect nothing less than drama, skill, and surprise as the tournament progresses.