Canada to face France in Olympic quarterfinal, could face U.S. in gold-medal game | CBC Sports

Canada will face France when the Olympic men’s basketball tournament moves to Paris on Tuesday.

A draw was held Saturday to determine the quarterfinal matchups, which will also see Germany take on Greece, Serbia battle Australia, and Brazil face top-ranked United States. The draw also ensures Canada does not match up with Serbia, Australia, Brazil or the U.S. until the medal rounds. 

Canada finished pool play atop Group A with a 3-0 record after beating Greece, Australia and Spain. 

France came second in Group B following wins over Brazil and Japan, and a loss to Germany. 

Puerto Rico, Spain, South Sudan and Japan were eliminated after the group stage.

WATCH | Canada defeats Spain to win Group A:

The Canadians are making their first Olympic appearance since Sydney 2000.

The men’s basketball semifinals are scheduled for Thursday and medal games will be held next Saturday.

Tip-off for Tuesday’s quarterfinal is set for 12 p.m. ET, streaming live on CBC Gem and CBC Sports’ Paris 2024 website and app.

It’s a tough draw for Canada, getting the home team, and Victor Wembanyama, just to have a chance of advancing. Canada hasn’t medalled at the Olympics since taking the silver medal in 1936, the infamous 19-8 loss on an outdoor court in a rainstorm to the U.S.

France coach Vincent Collet said his team can use Canada’s higher seeding to its advantage.

“Now, it’s even. We will be 0-0 on Tuesday,” Collet said. “They have more to lose than us in this position.”

Star-studded Americans face Brazil

The U.S. will face Brazil in the quarterfinals in Paris on Tuesday, and a semifinal matchup against Serbia or Australia awaits the Americans if they advance to the medal round.

“They’re all excellent teams, well-coached,” U.S. coach Steve Kerr said of the quarterfinalists. “But Brazil is our focus.”

Germany (3-0) is the No. 2 seed, finishing behind the U.S. for the top spot because of the point-differential tiebreaker. The Americans outscored their three group-stage opponents by 67 points; Germany outscored its three group-stage opponents by 47 points. Canada (3-0) is the No. 3 seed, getting that spot behind the U.S. and Germany because it had only a plus-20 differential in group play.

“You hope you get a little bit easier team [in the quarterfinals],” Germany coach Gordie Herbert said of finishing with a high seed coming out of group play, “but I think you really don’t because every team here is really good.”