HANG TIME, N.J. — Both Canada and France blew chances at Olympic berths last summer. Canada led Venezuela by seven with three minutes to go in the FIBA Americas semifinals, but lost in the final second. France, meanwhile, led Spain by nine with six minutes to go in the Eurobasket semifinals, but lost in overtime.
Only one of the two would be able to make up for their 2015 collapse, as both Canada and France were placed in the same Olympic qualifying tournament and faced off in the final on Sunday.
And it was France that earned the final ticket to Rio, beating Canada 83-74 in Manila. The Spurs’ Tony Parker led the way with 26 points, scoring 15 of them in the fourth quarter. His step-back 3-pointer that gave France a seven-point lead with 2:13 left was the biggest shot of the day. Former Spur and Raptor Nando De Colo added 22 points and was named tournament MVP.
The Raptors’ Cory Joseph led Canada with 20 points and six assists, but also had seven of his team’s 21 turnovers. The Cavs’ Tristan Thompson dealt with foul trouble in the first half and finished with just eight points and seven rebounds. Canada was without several of its other NBA players, including Andrew Wiggins and Kelly Olynyk.
Serbia and Croatia earned trips to Rio by winning their qualifying tournaments on Saturday. Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic and Philadelphia 76ers draftee Dario Saric were named their respective tournament MVPs.
After France’s win, France and Serbia were placed in Group A of the Olympic field with Australia, China, the United States and Venezuela. Croatia was placed in Group B with Argentina, Brazil, Lithuania, Nigeria and Spain. The Olympic basketball competition tips off on Saturday, Aug. 6.
The United States’ roster is headlined by Kevin Durant and will be looking to earn its fifth straight gold medal in major international competitions. France, Serbia and Spain should also be competing for medals.
