The EuroBasket 2022 semifinals took place this Friday, with France beating Poland and Spain downing Germany to set up a France vs Spain final on Sunday.
EuroBasket: Spain joins France in the final
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France flexes muscle against Poland
Poland reached the semifinals of the EuroBasket for the first time since 1971, yet it proved a step too far as it lost 95-54 to France in Berlin on Friday evening. Real Madrid forward Guerschon Yabusele led the way for France with 22 points on nine-of-12 shooting, including four-of-six from three-point range, while Rudy Gobert was a menace on the interior with three first-half blocks. Olympiacos Piraeus and France's Moustapha Fall also recorded three blocks during the game. Gran Canaria guard AJ Slaughter and Michal Michalak were Poland's highest scorer with 9 points, respectively, but it was clear from the early stages that France was going to end its nine-year wait to appear in the EuroBasket final.
For France, its dominant victory was the result of an excellent team display. Eight players scored six points or more and, on the defensive end, France made life incredibly difficult for Poland. After Yabusele and his 22 points, the next highest scorers for France were Evan Fournier and new Monaco signing Elie Okobo with 10 apiece, then Terry Tarpey, recent Anadolu Efes Istanbul arrival Amath M'Baye and Real Madrid center Vincent Poirier had 8 each. Ultimately, Poland was unable to keep pace with France's scoring. France coach Vincent Collet will also be delighted that his players achieved more than twice the number of assists and rebounds that Poland were able to record. France has now secured its 10th medal at the EuroBasket, and it will try to win its second gold medal when it takes on either Germany or Spain in the showpiece event on Sunday night.
Spain beats Germany in a classic
Spain and Germany played out one of the best games of the EuroBasket 2022 during their semifinal matchup in Berlin on Friday night, with Spain booking its place in the final after beating Germany 96-91. New Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv guard Lorenzo Brown came to the fore for Spain in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 points to take his tally for the game to 29. Willy Hernangomez of Spain ended with 16 points, including some crucial free throws down the stretch. Dennis Schroder (30), Franz Wagner (15) and FC Bayern Munich's Andreas Obst (15) contributed a total of 60 points for Germany, but Spain's experience and knowhow saw it over the line.
Spain led by three points after the first quarter, but Germany won the second and third quarters by a combined nine points to go into the final quarter with a six-point lead. Yet, Spain outscored Germany 31-20 to emerge with the victory and secure its place in Sunday's final against France. This match between Spain and Germany will live long in the memory, and the hope is that Spain vs France in the final provides the same level of entertainment.