Canada to face France in Olympic men's basketball quarterfinal, could face U.S. in gold-medal game

Canada will face France when the Olympic men's basketball tournament moves to Paris on Tuesday.

A draw was held Saturday to determine the quarterfinal matchups, which will also see Germany take on Greece, Serbia battle Australia, and Brazil face top-ranked United States. The draw also ensures Canada does not match up with Serbia, Australia, Brazil or the U.S. until the medal rounds. 

Canada finished pool play atop Group A with a 3-0 record after beating Greece, Australia and Spain. 

France came second in Group B following wins over Brazil and Japan, and a loss to Germany. 

Puerto Rico, Spain, South Sudan and Japan were eliminated after the group stage.

WATCH | Canada defeats Spain to win Group A:

Canadian men's Olympic basketball team beats Spain to finish group play undefeated

4 months ago

Duration 2:30

Canada beats Spain 88-85 for a perfect 3-0 record in the preliminary round of the men's basketball tournament at Paris 2024. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the Canadians with 20 points while Andrew Nembhard adds 18.

The Canadians are making their first Olympic appearance since Sydney 2000.

The men's basketball semifinals are scheduled for Thursday and medal games will be held next Saturday.

Tip-off for Tuesday's quarterfinal is set for 12 p.m. ET, streaming live on CBC Gem and CBC Sports' Paris 2024 website and app.

It's a tough draw for Canada, getting the home team, and Victor Wembanyama, just to have a chance of advancing. Canada hasn't medalled at the Olympics since taking the silver medal in 1936, the infamous 19-8 loss on an outdoor court in a rainstorm to the U.S.

France coach Vincent Collet said his team can use Canada's higher seeding to its advantage.

"Now, it's even. We will be 0-0 on Tuesday," Collet said. "They have more to lose than us in this position."

Star-studded Americans face Brazil

The U.S. will face Brazil in the quarterfinals in Paris on Tuesday, and a semifinal matchup against Serbia or Australia awaits the Americans if they advance to the medal round.

"They're all excellent teams, well-coached," U.S. coach Steve Kerr said of the quarterfinalists. "But Brazil is our focus."

Germany (3-0) is the No. 2 seed, finishing behind the U.S. for the top spot because of the point-differential tiebreaker. The Americans outscored their three group-stage opponents by 67 points; Germany outscored its three group-stage opponents by 47 points. Canada (3-0) is the No. 3 seed, getting that spot behind the U.S. and Germany because it had only a plus-20 differential in group play.

"You hope you get a little bit easier team [in the quarterfinals]," Germany coach Gordie Herbert said of finishing with a high seed coming out of group play, "but I think you really don't because every team here is really good."