The Paris 2024 Olympic basketball tournament officially began Saturday, as the hosts, France, had to work hard for their win over Brazil in Lille.
And at the Stade Pierre Mouroy, the very site where the French had suffered heartbreak at EuroBasket 2015 – a tournament they were favorites for – but lost to eventual winners Spain in the semi-finals, they were determined upon their return to make it good again.
Sure, this year’s field is varied, with a star-studded USA side competing for gold, but the hosts started with a win, albeit nervously.
Trailing 23-15 after the first quarter to their inspired South American counterparts, France recovered with superstar Victor Wembanyama leading the way with 19 points, nine rebounds, and four steals for a 78-66 win in Group B.
World champions Germany were a little more comfortable as they beat Japan 97-77 in the second Group B encounter.
Franz Wagner shot 52% from the field as he poured in 22 points to lead the Germans, but the strings were pulled by Dennis Schroder, with a double-double of 13 points and 12 assists.
European champions Spain, a team that traditionally starts major tournaments slowly but explodes to life later on, fell at the opening hurdle thanks to Australia.
Josh Giddey scored 17 points as the Boomers won 92-80 in their Group A opener.
FIBA World Cup bronze medallists Canada got off to a good start in Group A, toppling Olympic returnees Greece 86-79 in a game that could have gone either way in the final minutes.
Trailing for most of the contest, a dunk from Giannis Antetokounmpo with more than a minute left gave Greece hope in their first Olympic game since Beijing 2008 at 80-78.
But Canada held on, with Jamal Murray sealing the deal at the foul line and RJ Barrett providing the icing on their victory cake. Barrett led the winners with 23 points, canceling out Antetokounmpo’s 34 for Greece.
The Group C games, featuring South Sudan against Puerto Rico and the USA’s opener against Serbia, will take place tomorrow (Sunday).
Photo: FIBA
