Franz Wagner gave France credit for their defensive effort and tactical changes from the previous matchup in the group stage and admitted that Germany didn't play the way they should have.
Germany played their worst game offensively when it mattered the most. Scoring just 69 points, the reigning World champions were defeated by France in the semifinal of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
| Player of the Game | |
|
EFF
21
|
| Guerschon Yabusele | |
| Points | 17 |
| Accuracy | 7-11 |
| Rebounds | 7 |
| Assists | 2 |
For Franz Wagner, it was an underwhelming game as well. While he scored 7 points in the first quarter, the Orlando Magic star forward finished the game with just 10 points in his account, shooting just 4-for-10 from the field.
Germany led after the first quarter but struggled throughout the remainder of the game.
"After the first quarter, they took us out of our rhythm. We have to give credit for their defense, they played great defense today. They outrebounded us all game," Wagner said after the game.
"They've got long guards, long wings, physical guys. Obviously, Wemby (Victor Wembanyama), Rudy [Gobert]. [Mathias] Lessort is really physical, all tall players. They did a good job today, gotta give them credit," Wagner admitted. "I though we didn't play our brand of basketball, too. It was a little bit of both, I think. That's all it is sometimes.
After previously averaging 86 points per game, Germany finished the match with just 69. They shot only 40.3% from the field, making 10 three-pointers in 34 attempts.
Germany scored at ease during the group-stage matchup between the two teams. Now, they struggled, and struggled mightily at times.
"I thought we didn't really play our best game. Obviously, they changed a lot since then - how they play, how they sub, stuff like that. You have to give them credit. They made some good adjustments and had a better day today," Franz concluded.
While France advances to its second Olympic final in a row, Germany will wait for their opponent in the bronze-medal game on Saturday, either Serbia or Team USA. Wagner said he was going to watch the game live.
France vs. Germany highlights:
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