Men and Women’s Olympic Basketball Semifinals Preview

Olympic Basketball at Paris 2024 is already in the semifinals and, as expected, the United States continues to make the difference in the men and women’s categories.

Between August 8 and 9, the qualifiers for the grand finals will be decided, but here is a preview of each matchup.

Olympic Basketball Betting Odds

Men’s Semifinals

The men’s semifinals will have duels that we have already seen in the group stage, but that still promise sparks due to the quality of the players. On the one hand, the local team France will face world champion Germany, while the United States will face Nikola Jokic’s Serbia.

Both duels will be played in Paris on August 8 and the two winners will go for the gold medal, while the losers will have one more duel for the bronze medal.

Olympic Basketball: France vs. Germany

France is home and has the phenomenal Victor Wembanyama, but their arrival in the semifinal was not in the script of many, since they took out the second great candidate for gold: Canada. The victory was 82-73, with Guerschon Yabusele, who contributed 22 units, playing a surprising role. Wemby’ is a danger for his rebounds and his ability to score from anywhere, but Evan Fournier and Nicolas Batum add the experience, which is essential for this crossing.

Germany was a mere formality versus Greece, the 13-point difference seems little against a defense that only allowed 27 units in two quarters to the team led by Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Teutons are the reigning world champions and stand out for their team play. However, if they need a player to take the offense to the man, Franz Wagner and Dennis Schröder have already shown that they have no problem.

France vs. Germany Betting Pick: Germany

Olympic Basketball: United States vs. Serbia

The United States has proven to be the best team in the Olympics. No opponent has scored more than 87 points in the four games they have played, which speaks of their stellar defense. But the offense is crazy, as they showed against Brazil, scoring 122 points. This time it was Devin Booker who scored the most, with 18, followed by Anthony Edwards (17). In addition, this game served Joel Embiid to improve his statistics, as he was able to contribute 14 points, showing that he is gradually adapting to the FIBA style of play.

Serbia achieved an epic qualification to the semifinals. They overturned an Olympic-record 24-point deficit to Australia and ended up winning in overtime 95-90, thanks to a superlative version of Nikola Jokic in the final stretch of the game. The center finished with 21 points and 14 rebounds. The problem for the Serbs is that they already lost to the Americans 110-84, in a performance where they competed only in the first quarter, then fell victim to Steve Kerr’s steamroller.

United States vs. Serbia Betting Pick: United States

Women’s Semifinals

One day after the men’s finalists, it is the turn of the women, whose main attraction will be the duel between Australia and the United States.

On the other hand, the surprising Belgium will have to face the local France.

Olympic Basketball: United States vs. Australia

The United States had a more even match in the quarterfinals and defeated Nigeria 88-74. Once again A’Ja Wilson showed her power, scoring 22 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, being the best player of the game. So far the Americans are undefeated in Paris. No opponent has scored more than 76 points in seven games.

Australia has just won its place in the next round by defeating Serbia 85-67 in a matchup. The Oceania team has won three of the four games they have played and their most interesting player was Alanna Smith, with 22 points and 13 rebounds.

United States vs. Australia Betting Pick: United States

Olympic Basketball: Belgium vs. France

The Belgians advanced as the best third-placed team to the quarterfinals and pulled off a surprise against Spain, a candidate team for the final. They won 79-66, in a great defensive display as a whole, and counting on a phenomenal Emma Meesseman, who scored 19 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and handed out six assists. Meesseman is having a great tournament.

France hasgreat participation in these Olympics, winning three games and only losing once. In the quarterfinals, they took over Germany 84-71, thanks to 24 points from Marine Johannes and a good performance from Gabby Williams, who grabbed six rebounds and handed out five assists. This duel was the first in which they surpassed the 80-point barrier.

Belgium vs. France Betting Pick: Belgium