Guerschon Yabusele of Real Madrid's brilliance was central to France's 73-69 victory over Germany in the semifinals at the Olympic Games at Bercy Arena in Paris 

Guerschon Yabusele was the man of the moment for France

There were many heroes for France in its 73-69 victory over Germany in the semifinals at the Olympic Games at Bercy Arena in Paris. [Isaia Cordinier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/isaia-cordinier/profile/009549/) of Virtus Segafredo Bologna carried the team offensively in the first half. Nicolas Batum’s defense on Dennis Schroder hampered the Germany attack. Victor Wembanyama’s long arms wreaked havoc at both ends of the floor. [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-bc-athens/roster/pan/?season=2024-25) of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens was a wrecking ball in the paint. And Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade guard [Frank Ntilikina](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/frank-ntilikina/profile/006591/)’s timely rebounds and points in the fourth quarter were critical.

Above them all was [Guerschon Yabusele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/guerschon-yabusele/profile/010357/) of Real Madrid, who brilliance in the first 5 minutes of the third quarter turned the game around. In that time, Yabusele went off for 9 points, 2 rebounds and an assist. Even though his three-point play to end his magnificent run only made it 45-42, Yabusele’s energy changed the momentum in the game. The crowd even chanted “MVP, MVP” when Yabusele went to the line to complete that play.

He finished the game with a team-high 17 points and added 7 rebounds, which was toed for the team lead. Yabusele also led all players in PIR with 21.

Guerschon Yabusele of France celebrates against Germany in the Olympic semifinals in Paris. (Photo: FIBA)

Yabusele showed he meant business when he attacked the rim for a slam in the second minute of the third quarter. Batum and [Andrew Albicy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/andrew-albicy/profile/003425/) of Dreamland Gran Canaria kept him hot with assists, through [Johannes Voigtmann](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/johannes-voigtmann/profile/007201/) and Schroder traded shots with him to keep things close. After Yabusele grabbed an offensive rebound and muscled it in while drawing a foul, he roared on the ground and the sold-out arena joined him.

When Germany showed signs of a comeback in the fourth quarter, it was Yabusele who drew a foul and sank 2 free throws on one end and made a defensive stop on Schroder at the other.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">MVP OF FRANCE? 🇫🇷🐻<br><br>Guerschon Yabusele in group phase games at the Olympics: 𝟔.𝟖 𝐏𝐓𝐒 in 6 games<br><br>Guerschon Yabusele in elimination games at the Olympics: 𝟏𝟐.𝟐 𝐏𝐓𝐒 in 5 games<br><br>Rose to the occasion once again 🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris2024</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Basketball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Basketball</a> <a href="https://t.co/5LtPMzWuQS">pic.twitter.com/5LtPMzWuQS</a></p>&mdash; FIBA (@FIBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/1821606148258328980?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Later, with 1:35 remaining, after Yabusele committed his fourth foul, he could be seen motioning to his teammates to calm down. He then grabbed the defensive rebound and made the entrance pass to Wembanyama, who found a cutting Cordiner for what could have been the game-clinching dunk.

Instead, Cordinier wound up on the floor and Yabusele, with 1:04 remaining, committed his fifth foul to stop a German fast break. Done on the court, he went to the mentioned and with his hands sent the message to the fans to cheer the team on. Which they did.

With Yabusele on the bench, France held on and now, on Saturday, he will have the chance to join a select group of players to win the EuroLeague and an Olympic gold medal.

More Olympic Games coverage 

The Real Madrid big man’s big third quarter helped France take control

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul announced on Thursday that team captain Melih Mahmutoglu has agreed to terms on a contract for the 2024-25 season

Fenerbahce, Captain Mahmutoglu agree on 12th season together

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul announced on Thursday that team captain [Melih Mahmutoglu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/melih-mahmutoglu/002969/) has agreed to terms on a contract for the 2024-25 season. This will mark the 12th season for Mahmutoglu (1.91 meters, 34 years old) with the club. He remains Fenerbahce’s longest-serving player, with 228 EuroLeague appearances in his 11 seasons to date. In that time, he has made 221 three-pointers at 40% and amassed 988 career points.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Kaptan Melih Mahmutoğlu yuvasında kalıyor! 🖊💛💙<br><br>👉 <a href="https://t.co/JXojmUD8Qj">https://t.co/JXojmUD8Qj</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZAOQcKnqw6">pic.twitter.com/ZAOQcKnqw6</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1821577790849990920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Last season Mahmutoglu appeared in 9 EuroLeague games and averaged 1.4 points per game. He played a larger role in the Turkish League with 9.0 points on 38.4% shooting in 39 games. In his time with Fenerbahce, Mahmutoglu has helped the club to six EuroLeague Final Fours and the 2017 EuroLeague championships, six Turkish championships and four Turkish Cups. Mahmutoglu began his career with Anadolu Efes Istanbul and also played for Pertevniyal Istanbul, Darussafaka, Galatasaray, Antalya and Erdermispor before finding a home with Fenerbahce.  

Deep threes by Melih Mahmutoglu

More Fenerbahce news

The shooting guard has been with the club since the 2013-14 campaign

Fenerbahce, captain Mahmutoglu agree on 12th season together

The American guard has signed for two years

Baskonia adds Trent Forrest at point

On Thursday morning, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz announced an agreement with point guard Trent Forrest for the next two seasons. Forrest (1.94 meters, 26 years old) arrives from the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA. Last season, Forrest averaged 2.2 points, 1.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 38 games. Forrest played college ball at Florida University from 2016 to 2020 and that same year he made his NBA debut with the Utah Jazz. This will be Forrest's debut overseas and his first Turkish Airlines EuroLeague game with Baskonia will be on October 3, at home against Partizan Mozzart Bet Balgrade.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">✍️ ¡OFICIAL! 🏀<br><br>𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭, potencia física para la dirección de Baskonia 🔵🔴<br><br>Ongi etorri, <a href="https://twitter.com/TForrest_11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TForrest_11</a>!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoazenBaskonia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoazenBaskonia</a> | 🗞️ <a href="https://t.co/qpmX1j5JUp">https://t.co/qpmX1j5JUp</a> <a href="https://t.co/VOk2kquXBr">pic.twitter.com/VOk2kquXBr</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1821479255634497898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More Baskonia news

Paris Basketball has signed veteran guard Yakuba Ouattara for the 2024-25 season

Paris picks up veteran guard Yakuba Ouattara

Paris Basketball announced on Wednesday that it has signed veteran guard [Yakuba Ouattara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/yakuba-ouattara/004197/) for the 2024-25 season. Ouattara (1.92 meters, 32 years old) wore the Monaco uniform in eight seasons altogether, including the last three. He averaged 4.1 points on 47.9% three-point shooting in 26 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games last season, including 20 as a starter. Ouattara helped Monaco to three consecutive EuroLeague Playoff appearances, the 2023 Final Four, two French League championships, two Leaders Cups and the 2023 French Cup in his time with Monaco.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">New Player Unlocked 🔓🎮<br><br>Bienvenue à Paris Yakuba Ouattara 😈<br><br>En provenance du rocher, « Yak » débarque à Paname fort de ses deux titres de champion de France et de son expérience EuroLeague avec la Roca Team 💪<br><br>Let’s get to work <a href="https://twitter.com/yakubaouattara?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@yakubaouattara</a> 🫡 <a href="https://t.co/GSTtAf2AMp">pic.twitter.com/GSTtAf2AMp</a></p>&mdash; Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball/status/1821187733056020660?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Born in Ghana, Ouattara began his professional career in France with Elan Chalon when he was 17 and he would spend five seasons in that club’s system. His next stop was Voltaire before he first came to Monaco in 2015. Ouattara has been with the club on and off since with stops at the Long Island Nets in the G League in 2017-18 and Real Betis in Spain in 2020-21. He has also played regularly for the French national team over the years, including at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.  

Best of Yakuba Ouattara: 2023-24

More Paris Basketball news

He comes to the capital after spending the last 3 years in Monaco

ALBA Berlin announced that sharpshooter Matt Thomas had signed a deal to return for a second season at the club

ALBA brings Matt Thomas back

ALBA Berlin announced on Wednesday that sharpshooter [Matt Thomas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/matt-thomas/008967/) had signed a deal to return for a second season at the club. Thomas (1.96 meters, 30 years old) averaged 10.1 points on 43.2% three-point shooting in 30 EuroLeague games last season. He was second among players with at least 2 three-pointers per game at three-point accuracy behind only Keenan Evans (43.5%).  

Thomas was worth 12.6 points on 43.1% three-point shooting in the German league regular season and upped those numbers to 14.4 points on 49.4% shooting from downtown in the playoffs.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">Business is not finished: Matt bleibt Berliner! 💛💙<br><br>Unser Shooting Guard <a href="https://twitter.com/Theiceman_21?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Theiceman_21</a> hat seinen Vertrag um ein Jahr verlängert und macht auch in der kommenden Saison die Dreierlinie im ALBA-Trikot unsicher. 🎯<br><br>🔗 Alle Infos: <a href="https://t.co/PBz44QmnDZ">https://t.co/PBz44QmnDZ</a> <a href="https://t.co/nzxrAkMhDi">pic.twitter.com/nzxrAkMhDi</a></p>&mdash; ALBA BERLIN (@albaberlin) <a href="https://twitter.com/albaberlin/status/1821127094992080996?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

After playing college basketball at Iowa State University, Thomas began his professional career in Spain in 2017 with Obradoiro CAB. The next season he helped Valencia Basket with the BKT EuroCup. Thomas then made the move to the NBA where he spent three seasons split between the Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz and Chicago Bulls. He played a total of 126 regular season games and saw action in 10 more playoff games for Toronto in 2020 and 3 more for Utah in 2021.

Thomas made his EuroLeague debut with Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens in February 2023. This season will be his third in a row in Europe’s premier competition.

"I am very happy to be returning to ALBA. It is the first time in my career that I can stay with the same club and in the same city for a second season. Having this continuity and stability was an important factor in my decision. I am looking forward to building on last season and continuing to work on improving and achieving better results as a team. I can't wait to be back with the team in Berlin and to meet my new teammates!"

Best of Matt Thomas: 2023-24

More ALBA Berlin news

The sharpshooter enters his second season in the German capital

AS Monaco announced that it has signed shooting guard Furkan Korkmaz 

AS Monaco brings Furkan Korkmaz back to EuroLeague

AS Monaco announced that it has signed shooting guard [Furkan Korkmaz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/furkan-korkmaz/005763/). The deal is for one season with an option for a second year. Korkmaz (2.01 meters, 27 years old) has spent the past seven seasons in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers. He appeared in a total of 328 NBA games plus 33 playoff games in that period. Korkmaz’s best season was 2019-20, when he averaged 9.8 points on 40.2% three-point shooting and 2.3 rebounds per game. Last season Korkmaz was traded to the Indiana Pacers, but never suited up for that team.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">🏹 Fᴜʀᴋᴀɴ Kᴏʀᴋᴍᴀᴢ sᴜʀ ʟᴇ Rᴏᴄʜᴇʀ ! 🇲🇨<br><br>🆕️ Après sept saisons sous le maillot des Philadelphia Sixers en NBA, le sniper turc (27 ans, 2m01) vient apporter son shoot et son expérience au plus haut niveau 🔫💯<br><br>🗣 Communiqué et interview à retrouver sur notre site 📝… <a href="https://t.co/KImHeMOPN8">pic.twitter.com/KImHeMOPN8</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1821109569776455979?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

A product of the Anadolu Efes Istanbul youth system, Korkmaz played three seasons in the EuroLeague for the club. He appeared in 40 EuroLeague games between 2014 and 2016. Korkmaz won the Turkish Cup twice with Efes. He also spent time on loan at fellow Turkish clubs Pertevniyal and Banvit Bandirma early in his career.

"I saw the potential of the Roca Team during last season's playoffs, the last game was close. I think with my contributions, we can aim for the EuroLeague championship. Winning the EuroLeague is quite possible, but every team member has to give their best every day. It's a matter of hard work, dedication and continuous effort on and off the floor."

More AS Monaco news

The shooting guard spent the past seven seasons in the NBA

leading the way for France in its  82-73 victory over Canada in the quarterfinals at the Olympics in Paris were Turkish Airlines EuroLeague stars Isaia Cordinier of Virtus Segafredo Bologna and Real Madrid’s Guerschon Yabusele, who combined for more than half of their team’s points

Isaiah Cordinier, Guerschon Yabusele send France to the medal round

Bercy Arena was rocking on Tuesday night as the sold-out crowd witnessed France play its best game of the Olympic Games yet to dismiss previously unbeaten Canada 82-73. Leading the way for the French were a pair of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague stars as [Isaia Cordinier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/isaia-cordinier/profile/009549/) of Virtus Segafredo Bologna and Real Madrid’s [Guerschon Yabusele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/guerschon-yabusele/profile/010357/) combined for more than half of their team’s points!

Cordinier took charge of the game early with 10 of France’s first 13 points. He finished with 20 points on 4-of-5 three-point shooting. Cordinier added 3 steals in amassing a PIR of 22. He led all played in +/- with 19.

Yabusele went for 22 points on 8-of-9 free-throw shooting. He also had 5 rebounds for a PIR of 22. His +/- was 13.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dancing Bear went to work today 🐻<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris2024</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Basketball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Basketball</a> <a href="https://t.co/B2Upatmveh">pic.twitter.com/B2Upatmveh</a></p>&mdash; FIBA (@FIBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/1820890819844567241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Yabusele had 7 first-quarter points, 5 in the second quarter, 6 in the third and 4 in the fourth. He opened the scoring for the night with a triple and ended the first half with another three that made it 45-29. He threw down a dunk early in the second half that sent a message, too.

Cordinier lit up Canada early, added a three-pointer in the second quarter, 5 points in the third and 2 free throws in the fourth.

Guerschon Yabusele dunks for France against Canada in the quarterfinals at the Olympic Games. (Photo: FIBA)

The duo's impact on the game was constant, even when not scoring. One play that summed it up came with 2 minutes left and Canada desperately trying to rally. After Evan Fournier missed a three-pointer, Cordinier fought for the offensive rebound. Victor Wembanyama ended up shooting a three and missing. This time it was Yabusele chasing down the offensive board. Finally, Fournier drilled a deep three to end a 51-second possession that all but sealed the outcome.

The French forwards are no strangers to success. Yabusele owns silver medals from the 2020 Olympics and EuroBasket 2022. In three seasons with Real Madrid, he has won the EuroLeague once and the Spanish championship twice.

Cordinier, a teammate of Yabusele on the EuroBasket 2022 side, won the BKT EuroCup with Virtus in 2022.

On Thursday they face Germany in the semifinals with a spot on the Olympic podium in sight.

More news from the Olympic Games

The duo had more than half of France’s points!

Isaia Cordinier, Guerschon Yabusele send France to the medal round

Germany came from behind to beat Greece 76-63 on Tuesday at Bercy Arena in Paris to advance to the semifinals of the Olympic Games. After trailing by 10 after one quarter, Germany came back to tie the game by halftime and pulled away for good late in the third quarter. This marks the first time that Germany, the 2023 Basketball World Cup champion, has reached the semifinals at the Olympics.

Franz Wagner led the German attack with 18 points, Dennis Schroder tallied 13 points and 8 assists, Johannes Thiemann added 10 points and 6 rebounds and Isaac Bonga had 9 points and 6 boards. Former NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo paced Greece with 22 points, Thomas Walkup scored 12 and his Olympiacos Piraeus teammate Kostas Papanikolaou 10.

Greece took control from the start with Konstantinos Mitoglou of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens and Antetokounmpo each scoring twice in 2-10 run. A Nick Calathes-to-Antetokounmpo alley-oop made it 4-16 before Thiemann and Schroder got the German attack going and it was 11-21 at the end of the first quarter. FC Bayern Munich’s Nick Weiler-Babb stepped up for Germany early in the second quarter to twice rally his side within 5. A three-pointer by Johannes Voigtmann and a layup by Schroder made it 32-33. Walkup answered for Greece, but a Daniel Theis alley-oop dunk left the score square, 36-36, at the break.

Schroder made a three to give Germany’s its first lead of the game early in the second half. Back-to-back triples by Walkup and Papanikolaou put Greece back on top. Franz Wagner scored 5 points in an 8-0 Germany run to make it 50-47. Thiemann provided a spark with a put-back slam, then he drew an offensive foul and then dunked on the break to keep Germany ahead, 54-50. Bonga’s three-pointer on the third-quarter buzzer put 59-52 on the scoreboard. Franz Wagner lifted Germany’s advantage to 9, but Antetokounmpo kept Greece in the hunt. Franz Wagner remained strong and the Greek offense fizzled as Germany held on for the win.

### Serbia outlasts Australia in overtime thriller

Serbia rallied back from a 24-point deficit to beat Australia 95-90 after overtime. Riding the hot hand of Patty Milles, the Boomers roared to a 20-44 lead in the second quarter and led by 12 at halftime, but Serbia came back in the third and held on in overtime.

Marko Guduric of Serbia celebrates against Australia. (Photo: FIBA)

Nikola Jokic produced another fantastic effort with 21 points, 14 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals to lead the winners. Two-time EuroLeague Rising Star Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 17 points and dished 6 assists, Former EuroLeague MVP Vasa Micic played a big role in the comeback with 14 points and 6 dimes and Marko Guduric of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and Ognjen Dobric of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade added 11 points apiece. Mills finished with 26 points for Australia and Josh Giddey scored 25 in defeat.

Serbia scored the game's first 4 points, but soon Giddey assumed control for Australia with 6 points and an assist to take an 8-12 lead. Serbia turned to Jokic, who scored on three straight possessions, but Australia’s offense continued to generate points through Mills, who scored 10 points in a 0-12 run for a 17-31 lead at the end of the opening quarter. The red-hot Mills then scored the first two baskets of the second quarter. When Duop Reath dunked on the break, the Boomers led by 20. The margin reached 20-44 on a triple by Reath. Jokic helped revive Serbia to get within 16 before Mills came off the bench to score again. Guduric heated up with a layup, a steal and a triple to make it 37-48. Exum and Giddey helped Australia regain control before Guduric closed the gap to 42-54 at halftime.

The teams traded baskets in the early part of the third quarter before Serbia got threes from Ognjen and Bogdanovic to narrow the gap to 4, which prompted an Australia timeout. After the stop, Aleksa Avramovic forced a turnover and Dobric buried another three. A Bogdanovic jumper completed the comeback at 61-60, capping a 10-0 run. Avramovic committed an unsportsmanlike foul on his former Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade teammate Exum, who tied the score at 65-65. Jokic free throws made it 67-65 entering the fourth quarter. Micic made a pair of assists and a layup as Serbia stretched the lead to 73-67. Jock Landale brought Australia within 1, but Micic kept Serbia ahead. Giddey evened the score, 78-78, with a three from the corner with 3 minutes remaining. Micic sank 3 free throws to put Serbia in front and added another for a 2-point lead with 9.8 seconds remaining. Mills tied it with a jumper with 1.4 seconds left to force overtime.

Dobric opened the scoring in the extra session with a three-pointer and Jack McVeigh matched him. Then Duop gave Australia the lead before Bogdanovic tied it. Jokic put Serbia up 91-90 with a minute left. His jumper with 25.1 seconds remaining gave Serbia a 3-point edge and Bogdanovic iced the game from the line.

### Cordiner, Yabusele shine as France roars past Canada

France took charge early, led by as many as 19, and held on when Canada rallied late to secure an 82-73 victory that sent it into the semifinals. Isaia Cordinier of Virtus Segafredo Bologna and Real Madrid’s Guerschon Yabusele combined for more than half the team’s points to lead France in front of a passionate home crowd.

Yabusele finished with 22 points, Cordinier netted 20 on 4-of-5 three-point shooting, Evan Fournier scored 12 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter, EuroLeague champion Mathias Lessort of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens scored 13 and Victor Wembanyama contributed 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. For Canada, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 27 and R.J. Barrett added 16.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">FRANCE 🇫🇷 WILL BE IN THE SEMI-FINALS! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris2024</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Basketball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Basketball</a> <a href="https://t.co/XjakuVfumE">pic.twitter.com/XjakuVfumE</a></p>&mdash; FIBA (@FIBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/1820883896881623237?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Cordinier scored 10 points in the first three-and-a-half minutes, including back-to-back three-pointers to give France a 13-5 lead. Yabusele heated up to extend the lead to 14 points. Jamal Muray and Nickeil Alexander-Walker tried to spark the Canadians, but Lessort left France with a 23-20 lead after one quarter. A three-pointer by Fournier gave France a 16-point lead. Gilgeous-Alexander took charge of the Canada attack to trim the deficit to 34-25, but a three by Cordinier and free throws by Lessort and Partizan's Frank Ntilikina extended the French lead to 42-27. Yabusele sank a three to match France’s largest lead of the half, 45-29, at the intermission.

Cordinier drilled his fourth three-pointer of the night at the onset of the second half to the delight of the Paris crowd. Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort tried to provide a spark, with the former closing the gap to 50-39. Yabusele kept the home side scoring, but Canada was threatening. A put-back by Khem Birch narrowed the gap to 56-49. Cordinier and Victor Wembanyama came to the rescue and France led 61-50 at the end of the third quarter. Canada scored the first 5 points of the fourth quarter to put pressure on France. Free throws by Cordinier and a layup by Yabusele restored a double-digit lead and resulted in a Canada timeout. In just 2 minutes, Canada halved the deficit to 65-60 and France called timeout. Fournier came through with a clutch three-pointer and a floater soon after to make it 71-62. Dort got Canada back within 5 only to see Fournier put the game away with free throws and a nine-meter three-pointer.

Georginho De Paula of Brazil drives past Stephen Curry of USA. (Photo: FIBA)

### USA rolls past Brazil

The United States of America blasted Brazil 87-122 in Tuesday’s last game to remain unbeaten in Paris. Devin Booker led six American scorers in double figures with 18 points, Anthony Edwards scored 17 and LeBron James contributed 12 points and 9 assists. Partizan’s Bruno Caboclo paced Brazil with 30 points and  ratiopharm Ulm’s Georginho De Paula added 15 points and 8 rebounds.

Baskets by Gui Santos and Caboclo gave Brazil an early 4-2 lead, but James and Stephen Curry quickly helped the Americans surge ahead. A three-pointer by Booker gave the USA their first double-digit lead, 6-16. Booker and Joel Embiid and kept the USA coasting and – despite 5 more points by Caboclo – the score was 21-33 after 10 minutes. Brazil was held scoreless for the first 4 minutes of the second quarter as the margin grew to 19. Didi Louzada set up Lucas Dias for a dunk and De Paula for a triple, which prompted an American timeout. Marcelinho Huertas pulled up for a three and then a jumper to cap a 10-0 Brazil run that made it 31-40. A three by Dias got Brazil within 8. Curry and Embiid put the USA back on track and James scored 6 points in a 0-15 run to close the half with a 36-63 cushion.

The teams traded baskets for the first few minutes of the second half. De Paula stepped up for Brazil to get within 51-74. However, the Americans continued to cruise even with free throws by De Paula making it 71-94 at the end of the third quarter. Kevin Durrant took the USA lead to 30 early in the fourth quarter and Brazil never mounted another serious comeback attempt.

Tuesday’s four game swill decide which teams will play for medals

France, Germany, Serbia, USA advance to Olympic semifinals

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and Rafi Menco have agreed to terms on a deal that will keep them together for the 2024-25 season. 

Maccabi re-signs swingman Rafi Menco 

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and [Rafi Menco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/rafi-menco/004233/) have agreed to terms on a deal for one more year that will keep them together for the 2024-25 season. Menco (1.98 meters, 30 years old) has spent the last two seasons in Tel Aviv. He averaged 2.6 points on 42.3% three-point shooting and 1.4 rebounds in 20 EuroLeague last season. Those numbers rose to 8.5 points and 4.9 rebounds in the Israeli League, where Menco helped Maccabi repeat as champion.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">📳 <a href="https://t.co/dgAsqSMMdJ">pic.twitter.com/dgAsqSMMdJ</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC 🇮🇱​ (@MaccabiTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC/status/1820796572357058602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Menco began his professional career with Hapoel Jerusalem and has also played for Hapoel Gilboa Galil, Hapoel Eilat, Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Holon in Israel. He also spent the 2020-21 campaign in France with Elan Chalon. Menco is a three-time Israeli champion and won the Israeli Cup in 2016. He has been a regular on the Israeli national team, too.

"I am happy to continue at the club for a third season", Rafi Menco said. "I can't wait for the season to start so I can meet you all. We are facing a season with many challenges and I am sure that together we will rise to them. I also want to thank the management, the coaching staff and of course to you for all the support. Wishing us good luck. Yalla Maccabi!".

Best of Rafi Menco: 2023-24

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This season will be their third together 