France Dominates Italy with Third-Quarter Blitz
France asserted their dominance over Italy, securing a 67-53 victory at the FIBA U20 EuroBasket, powered by a decisive third-quarter surge. Holding a slim 29-26 lead at halftime, the French contingent unleashed a blistering 24-6 run to enter the final period with a commanding 53-32 advantage. This pivotal stretch was fueled by tenacious defence, evident in their 12 steals and 4 blocks, and a potent bench contribution that outscored Italy's reserves 45-28. Despite struggling from deep (5/28 3PT), France compensated with a rebounding edge (47-45) and superior late-game execution. Oscar Wembanyama, coming off the bench, spearheaded the effort with 9 points and 12 rebounds, complemented by Mohamed Diakité's 8 points and 6 boards. For Italy, Achille Lonati fought hard, scoring 15 points, but the French depth, with significant contributions from Wembanyama and fellow reserve Juwan Ekanga Ehawa (5 points, 5 steals), proved too much. This commanding win provides significant momentum for France in the tournament.