Men’s Basketball 3×3 semi-finals locked in at Paris 2024 Olympics
PARIS (France) – Defending gold medalist Latvia play host France in a blockbuster, while Netherlands face Lithuania as the men’s 3×3 semi-finals were set at the Paris Olympics.
Unbeaten Latvia cruised through directly to the semis after dispatching Poland in their final pool game to remain on track to repeat as champion.
But they will be pitted in a cauldron the final day of competition against host France, who were inspired by a frenzied crowd to knockout two-time defending World Cup champs Serbia in the play-in.
Timothe Vergiat hit a two-point buzzer beater for the ages to lift France to a 22-19 victory and trigger delirium at la Concorde. It was remarkably France’s first-ever victory over Serbia in international competition.
Netherlands also gained a direct entry into the final four after a shooting exhibition and demolition of shorthanded USA in their final pool game.
The Dutch Masters will next play in-form Lithuania, who had a spectacular day six after defeating Serbia then Poland in the play-in.
The lethal Lithuanians leaned on their stars to produce a brilliant day six with superstar Aurelijus Pukelis scoring 10 points against Serbia before sidekick Evaldas Dziaugys took over against Poland.
The winners of the semis will face off for gold, while the losers will compete for bronze.
FIBA
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