France’s men’s basketball team was eliminated from FIBA World Cup contention after opening with two losses, one year before it’s expected to be a top challenger to the U.S. at the Paris Olympics.
France eliminated from FIBA World Cup
France lost to Canada (95-65) and Latvia (88-86, squandering a 12-point lead to start the fourth quarter) over the first three days of the World Cup, which is co-hosted by Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines.
LATVIA ELIMINATES FRANCE FROM THE WORLD CUP.#FIBAWC x #WinForLatvia
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) August 27, 2023
Latvia pulled off the biggest shocker of the #FIBAWC so far 🤯
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) August 27, 2023
A thrilling two-point win over France means they are advancing to the tournament's knockout stages.
🎥 @FIBAWCpic.twitter.com/2eaL6T3YWs
“For us, for sure it’s a nightmare,” France coach Vincent Collet said. France was eliminated from the 32-team group stage, from which 16 teams advance to another group stage.
There is a consolation group stage to classify the 17th-through-32nd-place teams.