This Sunday evening, the French basketball team will take on Australia for the third day of the group stage. Les Bleues are currently leading Group B and remain undefeated heading into this final match.
AUSTRALIA 79 - FRANCE 72
**End of the Match:** France falls to Australia with a score of 79-72 and will face Germany in the quarter-finals, with a potential semi-final matchup against Team USA.
**Key Moments:**
- **0:14 (AUS 76 - 70 FRA):** Johannes misses a crucial shot.
- **0:20 (AUS 76 - 70 FRA):** George makes a smart play at the end of possession.
- **0:34 (AUS 74 - 70 FRA):** Johannes nails a three-pointer, his sixth attempt.
- **0:43 (AUS 74 - 67 FRA):** Whitcomb dominates in the paint.
- **1:00 (AUS 72 - 67 FRA):** Williams hits a big shot, giving hope to France.
- **2:01 (AUS 72 - 64 FRA):** Macbegor extends Australia's lead to +8 with two free throws.
- **2:18 (AUS 70 - 64 FRA):** Ayayi misses a crucial shot from afar as the clock ticks.
- **3:48 (AUS 70 - 64 FRA):** George hits a big shot, giving Australia some breathing room.
- **3:53 (AUS 67 - 64 FRA):** France is in penalty trouble.
- **4:28 (AUS 67 - 64 FRA):** Johannes twists his ankle, but Madgen responds with a basket.
- **4:40 (AUS 65 - 64 FRA):** Williams scores, bringing France within one point.
- **4:58 (AUS 65 - 62 FRA):** Johannes misses a three-pointer, but Badiane keeps the ball alive with a rebound.
- **5:29 (AUS 65 - 62 FRA):** Williams misses a behind-the-back dribble pass.
- **6:08 (AUS 65 - 62 FRA):** Lacan sets up Williams with a good ground pass; France is one possession away.
- **6:58 (AUS 65 - 59 FRA):** Badiane is late on Macbegor, who makes both free throws.
- **7:19 (AUS 63 - 59 FRA):** Williams gets an offensive rebound and draws a foul from Talbot, making one out of two free throws.
- **7:40 (AUS 63 - 58 FRA):** Smith and Badiane clash heads; the game is intense.
- **8:03 (AUS 63 - 58 FRA):** France's perfect counterattack with an extra pass from Chery to Lacan after a Badiane block.
- **8:38 (AUS 63 - 53 FRA):** Whitcomb continues to perform well.
- **9:19 (AUS 61 - 53 FRA):** Chery hits a three-pointer, set up nicely by Badiane.
- **9:51 (AUS 59 - 50 FRA):** No unsportsmanlike foul called against Talbot; the crowd is displeased.
- **9:51 (AUS 59 - 50 FRA):** Talbot elbows Michel Boury, leading to a foul call against Boury, who has a bloody nose.
**Start of the Fourth Quarter:** Australia has possession.
**End of the Third Quarter:** France struggles since the middle of the third quarter. Australia leads by 9 points with 10 minutes to go.
- **1:00 (AUS 57 - 48 FRA):** France's defense falters, allowing Whitcomb to score.
- **1:59 (AUS 52 - 48 FRA):** Madgen, confident, continues to hit three-pointers (4 out of 5).
- **2:47 (AUS 52 - 48 FRA):** George assists Madgen for a three-pointer, widening Australia's lead.
- **3:14 (AUS 49 - 48 FRA):** Johannes makes a beautiful laser pass to Ayayi.
- **3:58 (AUS 49 - 46 FRA):** Macbegor powers through; France struggles to contain attacks near the rim.
- **4:33 (AUS 47 - 46 FRA):** The teams trade blows; Australia takes the lead with strong inside play. France calls a timeout.
- **5:27 (AUS 43 - 44 FRA):** Smith drives into the paint; Williams struggles to stop her.
- **5:52 (AUS 41 - 44 FRA):** Ayayi attacks the paint with speed.
- **6:15 (AUS 41 - 42 FRA):** Smith misses two free throws under pressure from the crowd.
- **6:40 (AUS 41 - 42 FRA):** Smith works inside but misses the and-one free throw.
- **7:00 (AUS 39 - 42 FRA):** Bernies sets up Ayayi for a three-pointer.
- **8:01 (AUS 39 - 39 FRA):** Despite France's active defense, Smith finds Talbot for a corner shot.
- **8:17 (AUS 36 - 39 FRA):** Badiane makes one out of two free throws.
- **9:01 (AUS 36 - 38 FRA):** Williams hits a superb shot, responding to Smith's impeccable play.
**Start of the Third Quarter:** France has possession.
**End of the Second Quarter:** A close match with Australia and France tied at halftime (34-34).
- **0:25 (AUS 34 - 34 FRA):** Badiane's pass results in a turnover, complicating the end of the quarter.
- **0:45 (AUS 34 - 34 FRA):** Atwell grabs an offensive rebound after George's miss, adding 2 points.
- **1:06 (AUS 32 - 34 FRA):** Fauthoux gets blocked by George.
- **1:56 (AUS 32 - 34 FRA):** Rupert enters the game strongly, grabbing an offensive rebound after Salaun's missed three-pointer.
- **3:03 (AUS 32 - 32 FRA):** Smith dominates against Rupert.
- **3:47 (AUS 30 - 32 FRA):** Badiane puts France ahead with two free throws.
- **3:57 (AUS 30 - 30 FRA):** Madgen misses an easy shot after a defensive lapse by France.
- **4:32 (AUS 30 - 30 FRA):** Rupert hits a three-pointer.
- **5:39 (AUS 30 - 27 FRA):** Madgen scores comfortably.
- **5:58 (AUS 27 - 27 FRA):** Michel Boury intercepts and scores, equalizing the game.
- **6:14 (AUS 27 - 25 FRA):** Williams grabs an offensive rebound and scores with a hook shot.
- **6:51 (AUS 25 - 23 FRA):** Michel Boury intercepts and scores, making both free throws.
- **7:12 (AUS 25 - 21 FRA):** Williams' shot is well contested.
- **7:29 (AUS 25 - 21 FRA):** Tolo intercepts and scores in transition after a long pass from Whitcomb. France calls a timeout.
- **7:58 (AUS 23 - 21 FRA):** Tolo scores easily.
- **8:23 (AUS 21 - 21 FRA):** Michel Boury grabs an offensive rebound and assists Johannes.
- **9:42 (AUS 19 - 19 FRA):** Michel Boury blocks after Johannes scores, tying the game.
**Start of the Second Quarter:** France has possession.
**End of the First Quarter:** Australia leads 19-17 against France, who started timidly on offense.
- **0:46 (AUS 17 - 17 FRA):** Michel Boury hits a three-pointer at the end of possession, equalizing the game.
- **1:33 (AUS 17 - 14 FRA):** Bernies intercepts and assists Chery in a fast break.
- **1:44 (AUS 17 - 12 FRA):** Johannes scores in the paint.
- **2:30 (AUS 15-10 FRA):** Madgen hits the first successful long-range shot of the game.
- **2:51 (AUS 12 - 10 FRA):** Badiane scores with a nice touch under the basket.
- **3:27 (AUS 12 - 8 FRA):** Australia starts the match strongly, needing a win.
- **4:38 (AUS 10 - 6 FRA):** Whitcomb makes a nice pass to Macbegor.
- **4:55 (AUS 8 - 6 FRA):** Ayayi scores in the paint.
- **5:06 (AUS 8 - 4 FRA):** Australia is already in the penalty area after a foul on Johannes.
- **5:29 (AUS 8 - 4 FRA):** Smith shows good footwork near the basket.
- **5:49 (AUS 6 - 4 FRA):** France struggles with shooting accuracy.
- **6:14 (AUS 6 - 4 FRA):** Badiane makes a strong defensive play.
- **6:26 (AUS 6 - 4 FRA):** France misses two consecutive three-point shots.
- **7:00 (AUS 6 - 4 FRA):** Fauthoux draws an offensive foul from Smith.
- **7:27 (AUS 6 - 4 FRA):** Smith's up-and-under move catches Salaun off guard.