The Real Madrid big man’s big third quarter helped France take control
Guerschon Yabusele was the man of the moment for France
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3 Mins read
There were many heroes for France in its 73-69 victory over Germany in the semifinals at the Olympic Games at Bercy Arena in Paris. Isaia Cordinier of Virtus Segafredo Bologna carried the team offensively in the first half. Nicolas Batum’s defense on Dennis Schroder hampered the Germany attack. Victor Wembanyama’s long arms wreaked havoc at both ends of the floor. Mathias Lessort of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens was a wrecking ball in the paint. And Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade guard Frank Ntilikina’s timely rebounds and points in the fourth quarter were critical.
Above them all was Guerschon Yabusele of Real Madrid, who brilliance in the first 5 minutes of the third quarter turned the game around. In that time, Yabusele went off for 9 points, 2 rebounds and an assist. Even though his three-point play to end his magnificent run only made it 45-42, Yabusele’s energy changed the momentum in the game. The crowd even chanted “MVP, MVP” when Yabusele went to the line to complete that play.
He finished the game with a team-high 17 points and added 7 rebounds, which was toed for the team lead. Yabusele also led all players in PIR with 21.
Yabusele showed he meant business when he attacked the rim for a slam in the second minute of the third quarter. Batum and Andrew Albicy of Dreamland Gran Canaria kept him hot with assists, through Johannes Voigtmann and Schroder traded shots with him to keep things close. After Yabusele grabbed an offensive rebound and muscled it in while drawing a foul, he roared on the ground and the sold-out arena joined him.
When Germany showed signs of a comeback in the fourth quarter, it was Yabusele who drew a foul and sank 2 free throws on one end and made a defensive stop on Schroder at the other.
Later, with 1:35 remaining, after Yabusele committed his fourth foul, he could be seen motioning to his teammates to calm down. He then grabbed the defensive rebound and made the entrance pass to Wembanyama, who found a cutting Cordiner for what could have been the game-clinching dunk.
Instead, Cordinier wound up on the floor and Yabusele, with 1:04 remaining, committed his fifth foul to stop a German fast break. Done on the court, he went to the mentioned and with his hands sent the message to the fans to cheer the team on. Which they did.
With Yabusele on the bench, France held on and now, on Saturday, he will have the chance to join a select group of players to win the EuroLeague and an Olympic gold medal.