France, Germany & Canada earn quarter-final places in Olympic men's basketball

The French team narrowly defeated Japan 94-90 in an intense overtime battle, while Germany triumphed over Brazil with a score of 86-73 in Group B.

Meanwhile, Canada pulled off an impressive 93-83 win against Australia, and Spain managed to beat Greece 84-77 in Group A. The matches drew in a crowd of 27,000 enthusiastic fans, with the French supporters experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions as their team clinched a hard-fought victory.

French shooting guard Isaia Cordinier expressed his satisfaction with the win, acknowledging the high level of competition at the tournament.

Germany commenced their match against Brazil with a robust performance, establishing a double-digit lead in the first quarter. However, they faltered, allowing their South American opponents to equalize by halftime.

The German captain, Dennis Schroder, emerged as a pivotal player, contributing 20 points and energizing his teammates to secure the victory.

In Group A, Giannis Antetokounmpo of Greece showcased his extensive NBA experience, scoring 27 points while also recording 11 rebounds and three assists as a small forward for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Nevertheless, he faced a formidable challenge from Spain's Sergio Llull, who, alongside first-time Olympian and Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama, combined for a total of 32 points.

Canada rose to the occasion, challenging third-ranked Australia, who struggled to keep pace throughout the match.

Josh Giddey, the point guard for the Chicago Bulls, led the Australian team with 19 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. However, Canada's superior shooting, highlighted by the combined 40 points from RJ Barrett and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, proved decisive.

On Wednesday, the victor of the USA-South Sudan matchup will secure a place in the quarter-finals.

The losing team from that game, along with Japan, Brazil, Puerto Rico, and Serbia, will compete for the remaining opportunities to advance to the next round of the tournament.