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The knockout phase has finally arrived which means the intensity and pressure builds even higher for the remaining teams at Paris 2024. In a high-stakes clash of basketball talent and a reunion of 2000 quarter-final foes, hosts France and Canada prepare to meet in a titanic clash at the Bercy Arena in Paris on Tuesday.
Jordi Fernandez's men topped the so-called "Group of Death" in style, beating Greece, Australia, and Spain, and were the only side to average a tournament-best 22.3 points off turnovers. Meanwhile, their European counterparts could only finish second in their group behind Germany. The French needed a dramatic overtime to beat Japan and then briefly overwhelmed by Germany in their last group game.
The host nation will be counting on experience, combined with the talented youngsters that have at their disposal, as they will be aiming to see off this relentless Canada side in one of the most eagerly anticipated games of the tournament so far. The 20-year-old French phenom Victor Wembanyama snatched all the headlines in the group stages, averaging 17 points, 10.7 rebounds, and two blocks per game.
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The Canadians possess several highly experienced players and plenty of threats. Led by NBA superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who knows all about pressure and big occasions, but his side will have to overcome formidable French big through the likes of Wembanyama, Rudy Gobert, Guerschon Yabusele, and Mathias Lessort, who dominate in scoring, rebounding, and shot-blocking to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1984.
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France vs Canada: Starting lineups and depth charts
France starting lineups and depth charts
Considering the magnitude of the game as the host nation, France coach Vincent Collet could turn to veterans Matthew Strazel and Evan Fournier to share point guard duties to disrupt Gilgeous-Alexander's playmaking. Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert will join the attack and are key on both ends of the court.
Frank Ntilikina and Evan Fournier are likely to take over at some stage, while the likes of Guerschon Yabusele, Mathias Lessort, and Bilal Coulibaly will also be pushing to make an impact.
Canada starting lineups and depth charts
Jordi Fernandez has steered his side through a tough set of games to remain unbeaten at this stage of the tournament and has not rotated the starting lineup too heavily.
Along with Gilgeous-Alexander, the likes of Dillon Brooks, Dwight Powell, RJ Barrett and Lou Dort are all established assets for the Canada’s attack and could expect minimal changes to the lineup in this contest.
France vs Canada: Head-to-Head
As previously mentioned, this is the first meeting of the sides at Olympics since 2000 quarter-finals, when France came out victorious 96-69. In 8 games between the two sides, France have won six. However, in their most recent matchup, Canada secured a 30-point victory in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
