Paris 2024 men’s basketball: Evan Fournier clinches win against Canada as lesser lights shine brightly for France

Canada lacked ‘urgency and aggressiveness’

Making its first Olympic appearance since 2000 and loading the roster with 10 NBA players, Canada came to Paris with high hopes of medaling and were considered a favorite to challenge Team USA. But the Canadians shot just 37.5 per cent from the field and missed 16 of 21 attempts. They kept clawing back, cutting France’s lead to five points with 2 minutes, 14 seconds left but Evan Fournier responded with a pair of free throws and then a prayer three-point shot near the halfcourt line to seal it.

“It was the start,” Canada guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said. “The urgency. The aggressiveness. Not paying attention to details. The start put us in the hole. I think we won the rest of the game after the start, but when you start like that, it’s hard to play against any team.”

Canada admitted the atmosphere and physicality may have been a surprise. The game included 64 free throws, including 40 for France. Canada coach Jordi Fernandez picked up a late technical foul, capping a frustrating night.

“You play sometimes games like this with the home crowd with the questionable fair officiating, I understand, but it’s frustrating,” Fernandez said. “We knew coming here we’d have to fight against five players. We fouled a lot. It’s disappointing. I will always support my players. These guys have worked, they’re committed to representing their country and they worked really hard for their country and I think everybody should appreciate that.”

France will play Germany in the semi-finals on Thursday at Bercy Arena.

“It’s a great feeling to be able to make sure we play on the last day of the tournament, to make sure we give ourselves a chance to win a medal,” Fournier said. “And hopefully it’s going to be the right one.”

Gary Washburn is an Olympic Channel correspondent and National NBA Writer for the Boston Globe.