In the Olympic men’s basketball quarterfinals, after two consecutive comebacks, a tournament favorite finally failed to reverse its fortunes: the Canadian team, which went undefeated in three group stage games, lost 82-73 to France.

Theoretically, Canada and France each have their strengths, and as the host nation, France advancing to the semifinals by beating Canada isn’t exactly an upset. However, given France’s lackluster performance in the three group stage games, their upset victory still came as a surprise.

What fueled France’s most dominant showing of the Olympics? It was head coach Vincent Collet’s unexpected and classic lineup shake-up: benching defensive center Rudy Gobert and scorer Evan Fournier, and starting guard Thomas Hébert (who had limited minutes in the group stage) and the familiar “Little Bear” Guerschon Yabusele.

This smaller lineup was more dynamic, exploding for a 23-10 first quarter and leading by 16 at halftime. France’s largest lead reached 19 points. Though Canada adjusted to France’s intensity in the second half, it was too little, too late.

Beyond the result, two unexpected stars led France in scoring: starting guard No. 8 Thomas Hébert dropped 20 points (4-of-5 from three), and Yabusele, who replaced Gobert in the starting five, tallied 22 points and 5 rebounds. Their plus-minus ratings were an eye-popping +19 and +13, respectively.

Hébert, a 6’5″ guard nearing 28, isn’t a youngster. Rising from France’s second division, he scored 2, 10, and 5 points in the first three group stage games, averaging under 18 minutes as a rotational player. But in the do-or-die game against Canada, he dropped 10 points in the first quarter alone, including a dunk, foul shots, and two consecutive transition threes.

Yabusele, known for his non-stop hustle, lived up to expectations in the starting role. His aggressive play forced multiple Canadian fouls, and he made 8 of 9 free throws, electrifying the home crowd with every passionate display.

The tactical impact of the lineup change was clear:

Defensive Versatility: Without Gobert, France gained mobility. If Gobert had started, he’d have matched up with Dwight Powell, and Victor Wembanyama would’ve faced RJ Barrett—both of whom roam offensively. Barrett, a major threat, would’ve exhausted Wembanyama, while Gobert’s matchup with Powell (who lacks offensive/defensive standout traits) was ineffective.

1. By downsizing, Wembanyama matched up with the less-threatening Powell, allowing him to focus on help defense. Guards Frank Ntilikina, Yabusele, and Hébert provided speed, while defensive ace Nicolas Batum shadowed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA).
2. Benching Gobert also minimized Canada’s pick-and-roll “small-on-big” attacks, a specialty of SGA and Dillon Brooks.
3. Offensive Space: Gobert’s absence opened up the paint, letting guards like Hébert cut freely—his first dunk came off a Wembanyama screen. Yabusele thrived on offensive rebounds, and France even outrebounded Canada 37-36.

4. Wembanyama faced tough defense from Dillon Brooks (a familiar NBA matchup), shooting just 2-of-10 for 7 points (0-of-6 from three). But he grabbed 12 rebounds and dished 5 assists. Collet’s adjustments highlighted Wembanyama’s playmaking rather than just his perimeter shooting.

Canada’s downfall stemmed from interior depth issues. When France downsized, Canada had few counters. They started Powell at center, rotating veteran Kelly Olynyk and undersized Trey Lyles. It’s unclear why they omitted Zach Edey, who barely played in the World Cup but helped them win bronze. Canada’s small-ball system lacks flexibility, and France exploited that with sudden changes. Going forward, Canada will likely integrate Edey into regular rotation, even if not as a starter.

Other quarterfinal highlights:

• Australia vs. Serbia: A 45-minute classic decided in OT. Serbia rallied from 24 points down, nearly undone by Patty Mills (20 first-half points, but just 6 in the second half). Australia’s key takeaway: Josh Giddey’s maturity, while Mills can still erupt for a half.
• Germany vs. Greece: Germany reversed a 12-point first-half deficit. The Wagner brothers and Dennis Schröder’s experience fueled the comeback, while Greece struggled from the field.
• USA vs. Brazil: Brazil’s only question was staying within 20 points, but they lost 87-122. Devin Booker led the US with 18 points, leaving coach Steve Kerr to balance wins with keeping everyone happy in a team-oriented system.