FRANCE END US REIGN

The USA are out of the FIBA World Cup in the quarter-finals after a stunning 89-79 loss to France.

The holders were dethroned in Dongguan by a French side brilliantly inspired by Rudy Gobert and they now face Argentina in Friday’s semis in Beijing with a shot at the title.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game, and it was,” said Gobert.

Vincent Collet’s men moved 45-39 in front at half time and were as much as ten clear early in the third.

A 16-5 run brought the USA – eventually paced by 29 points from Donovan Mitchell – back to life and they edged 63-62 with 1:40 left in the period.

But Mitchell was shut down in the fourth and the door was bolted. With Evan Fournier a devilish outside threat in scoring 22, and Gobert a tower both ends with 21 points and 16 rebounds, the French nibbled away and they compiled an 11-0 run which took them ahead with third minutes left and their defence held firm.

“Despite everyone talking about the USA and their qualities, we just took advantage of their lack of experience,” said Collet.

“We were very serious. we have the discipline to stick to our plan, except at the end of the third qaurter when we gave them a few too many offensive rebounds… now we will focus on the next game which will be the most difficult for sure.”

Although their Olympic berth was already assured, the Americans bid for three successive world crowns and their 58-game competitive winning streak at global events was snuffed out and they take on Serbia in the classification playoffs on Thursday in a re-match of the 2014 final.

The short-handed USA were ultimately made to pay for sending their B team.

“I think it’s disrespectful to bring up that (the USA) didn’t have this guy or that guy,” counted Gregg Popovich, who was part of George Karl’s staff when the USA missed the medals at the 2002 worlds.

“That’s disrepectful to France or whoever else is in the tournament. France beat us.”

Australia beat Czech Rep 82-70 behind 24 points from Patty Mills to set up a FIBA World Cup semi against Spain.

The Boomers, now assured of their best-ever finish, blew the surprise packets away in the second half with Andrew Bogut influential.

That result meant Spain and France secured 2020 Olympic berths while the Czechs, Poland and Serbia will head into Olympic qualifiers.

The Czechs and Poles face off in the 5-8 round on Thursday.

 
On Tuesday, Argentina ousted the Serbs 97-87 behind a knitted team performance, led by Luis Scola and Facundo Campazzo who became the first player to combine for 15+ points, 10+ assists, 5+ rebounds and 3+ steals in a FIBA World Cup game since Toni Kucoc with Croatia against Canada in 1994.

Spain needed a late retort to hold off Poland 90-78 and set up a World Cup semi-final against Australia.

Photo: FIBA