France beat Italy 93-85 to reach the EuroBasket semi-finals. Cole’s team won in overtime. The Italians missed a big chance after Fontecchio missed two shots in the regular time final.

France will play either Poland or Slovenia, with the qualification for the final in the background.

Cole’s team got into the game better and took an 11-3 lead with a basket and Fournier’s foul. The Italians fought back and cut to three points (15-12) with Fontecchio’s five in a row. Characteristically, the hosts found two three-pointers from Yabusele and Kabaro and reached +9 (21-12) and +10 (27-17) with the new three-point player Atlanta Hawk. Ponseco’s team cut the lead to 27-20 thanks to a 3-pointer from Datome.

Ritchie hit a two-pointer to make it 27-22 early in the second period. With two consecutive 3s from Ertel and Cabaros, the typical home team led by 11 points (33-22). The Italians quickly took the lead (33-29) using their best defense to keep Cole’s players away from the basket for over three minutes. France again got the difference (38-29) with Gobert. Meli made it 38-31 at halftime.

With a two-pointer from Yabusele, France took a 40-31 lead at the start of the third period. The Italians cut the score to 45-40 with Polonara and Fontecchio, but the hosts usually made it 53-45 with Fournier’s 3-pointer. It was then that the Ponseco team found the answer and cut the score to 53-52 at Datom with two and a half minutes left in the quarter. With two throws from Cabaro, France reached 56-52, but “squadra azzura” built the series 56-62 with a basket and a foul by Polonara.

After the Ricci point, Italy led 56-64 early in the second quarter. The French fell to 59-64 with a 3-pointer from Ertel and came even closer (61-64) with a 2-pointer from Gobert. The Ponseco team reached a six-point difference, but the typical home team returned to play (68-70) with Gobert’s nail.

With two accurate shots from Spisos and a three-pointer from Fontecchio, the Italians led 68-75 with about two minutes left. Fournier’s two shots left France two points (73-75) with half a minute left. With the score 75-77 and 19 seconds left, the Italians had the ball and earned a foul. Fontecchio drove up to the line and missed both shots, giving Ertel the chance to equalize (77-77) with five seconds left. Fo missed the last attack and the match went into overtime.

Overtime began with a well-timed 3-pointer from Ertel and Spissou gave Italy a 79–80 lead. The French managed to take an 87-83 lead with successive strikes, and Spiess cut again. At the end of the match, the French were stronger and more qualified.

Quarters: 27-20, 38-31, 56-62, 77-77 et seq., 93-85 par.

France (Cole): Albisi, Fall 1, Fournier 17 (3/8 2s, 3/9 3s, 2/2 shots, 3 rebounds, 3 assists), Gobert 19 (8/10 2s, 0/1 3s, 3/4 shots, 14 rebounds) ), Ertel 20 (4/7 2-pointers, 4/7 3-pointers, 0/1 shot, 8 assists, 3 fouls), Luau-Kabaro 13 (3/4 3-pointers), Ebaye, Okombo, Porrier, Tarpey 8 (3/3 two-pointers, 2/3 shots, 8 rebounds), Yabusele 15 (3/8 three-pointers, 7 rebounds).

Italy (Pocheco): Biliga, Datome 12 (4/9 3s), Fontecchio 21 (3/8 2s, 4/7 3s, 3/6 shots, 5 rebounds), Mannion 4, Meli 10 (4 rebounds, 7 assists), Payola (5 assists), Polonara 9 (4/10 shots, 1/1 shot, 6 rebounds), Ritchie 4, Spisow 21 (3/7 2-pointers, 4/5 3-pointers, 3/3 shots), Tonut 8 (0 /3 three-pointers).