France defeats Slovenia to advance to men’s gold medal game
What an unbelievable fourth quarter we’ve had here at the Saitama Super Arena! Slovenia had cut a 10-point difference to just three early in the quarter, and Luka Doncic hit a three with 33 seconds left to bring Slovenia within one point of France (90-89).
In the ensuing possession, Nando de Colo (FRA) missed a jumper, with Doncic grabbing the rebound to claim a triple double (16 points, 18 assists, 10 rebounds).
The Dallas Mavericks star advanced the ball and found a cutting Klemen Prepelic (SLO) who look destined to lay the ball in and secure the win for Slovenia, only for Nicolas Batum to come flying in and block the shot off the glass as time expired to send France to the gold medal game.
They will meet the USA – whom they beat in the group stage of the competition – on Saturday, 7 August at 11:30 JST for a chance at winning the first men’s gold medal in the NOC’s history.
