Can France Beat Team USA For The Olympic Basketball Gold Medal?

Team France has shown that they have what it takes to beat the best teams in the world in these Olympic Games. They've taken out two Gold Medal contenders, in Canada and Germany, in the knockout rounds. After beating the Germans, do the French have one more upset in them?

The French Heroes Do It Again

Isaia Cordinier and Guerschon Yabusele are making names for themselves in these Olympics. After being the stars of the win over Canada, they are again the stars against Germany.

The two combined for 33 of France's 73 points and shot 13-24 from the field combined. Keep these two in mind when the NBA season comes around, for those teams with roster spots remaining.

Wembanyama was again a non-factor offensively, scoring 11 points, but on 4-17 shooting. He was excellent defensively though, getting 3 blocks and constantly shutting off the lane on German drives. Rudy Gobert only played 4 minutes against Canada and just 5 against Germany. It's unfortunate from his perspective, but it's been working well for France.

Germany Bow Out

This was a disappointing end for the Germans, who will now compete for the bronze medal against Serbia. The French did a brilliant job on Dennis Schroder and Franz Wagner, completely cutting off their driving lanes and forcing tough shots. Schroder finished with 18 points but on 6-18 shooting. Wagner had 10 points on 4-10 shooting, as Germany scored just 69 points as a team.

Can The French Win Olympic Basketball Gold?

France will go in as heavy underdogs, but it's one game, anyone can win any night. The French team is full of NBA talent, and guys like Evan Fournier and Nicolas Batum can catch fire out of nowhere.

Rudy Gobert likely won't play many minutes again, as the French will try to match up with the U.S. starting lineup. If Steve Kerr goes to two big men at any stage, expect the French to match it with the Twin Towers.

If France can shoot consistently, they have a great chance to win this gold medal. Serbia shot well for three quarters but failed to keep it going in the fourth. Victor Wembanyama will need to be better if France wants to win and continue to be dominant defensively down low.

If France manages to control the paint defensively, and the outside shots aren't falling for the U.S., we could see a new Olympic Basketball champion.