Franz Wagner, of Germany, shoots over Isaia Cordinier, of France, in a men’s basketball game at the Paris Olympics 2024, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
VILLENEUVE-D’ASCQ, France — Victor Wembanyama was lurking. Franz Wagner kept going anyway.
He slashed into the middle of the lane, and then slipped under the swatting arm of the 7-foot-4 phenom for an emphatic left-handed dunk.
It may have been the biggest highlight of Germany’s 85-71 win over France in men’s Paris Olympics basketball on Friday. But asked if that or a later dunk over Isaia Cordinier was his favorite, Wagner paused.
“The second one,” Wagner said. “I don’t know who was there, honestly, but whatever the second one was.”
Not Wembanyama?
“I don’t even remember the first one really,” he said.
Wagner and Dennis Schroder each scored 26 points to help Germany take the matchup of two of the top contenders for the gold medal when the tournament shifts to Paris for the quarterfinals.
Daniel Theis added seven points and eight rebounds to help Germany finish unbeaten atop Group B.
SCHEDULE: Men’s basketball at Paris Olympics 2024
“I think we’re just ready for the moment and enjoy the moment,” Wagner said.
It was France’s first loss of the group stage.
Wembanyama had 14 points and 12 rebounds for the host country, which trailed by 21 at halftime and struggled to deal with Wagner on the inside, and Schroder’s outside shooting and ability to get into the interior of France’s defense.
Germany outscored France 24-9 in the second quarter. France had eight turnovers in the opening 20 minutes.
With Wembanyama sitting to start the fourth, France finally found some traction, cutting the deficit to 12. By the time Wembanyama re-entered the game with 4:30 to play, Germany’s lead had ballooned back up to 19.