The duo had more than half of France’s points!
Isaia Cordinier, Guerschon Yabusele send France to the medal round
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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 of Virtus Segafredo Bologna and Real Madrid’s Guerschon Yabusele 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.
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.
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.