France vs. Argentina: Live Score, Stats and Recap
By on July 31, 2012
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Since they became teammates in the 2002 NBA season, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker have been one of the most dynamic duos in the history of the NBA. They've combined to win three NBA championships and have a fair stake at the claim of best backcourt in the league when on the floor together.
What they've never been able to claim, however, are bragging rights. As of 3 p.m. ET, the rush to owning those very rights will begin.
Manu Ginobili will lead Argentina against Tony Parker and France! In a battle of the San Antonio Spurs, however, the other names will be key to victory.
As for who and why, check back at 3 p.m. for all of those answers and more.
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Argentina is a powerhouse whose starting lineup can compete and defeat any team in these Olympic games. Unfortunately, their bench is very weak and that could be their potential undoing.
France, meanwhile, took every punch Argentina had in them and came back with a series of haymakers. Tony Parker had a phenomenal fourth quarter while Nicolas Batum and Mickael Gelabale combined for 27 points.
Kevin Seraphin added 10 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks while Nando De Colo threw in 11 points and 5 rebounds of his own.
Argentina was led by 26 points from Manu Ginobili, 16 from Luis Scola and 8 assists from Pablo Prigioni. Unfortunately, their supporting cast was far too weak to support their star producers. Carlos Delfino was 1-of-8 from the floor while Andres Nocioni was just 2-of-7.
France won this game with grit and toughness. They now have a chance to finish second in their pool with Nigeria, Tunisia and Lithuania all that stands in their way. Argentina, meanwhile, still has Team USA ahead of them.
Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili Part I lived up to expectations.
Final Score: Argentina 64 - 71 France
Argentina Team Leaders
Points: 4 - Manu Ginobili
Rebounds: 8 - Luis Scola
Assists: 8 - Pablo Prigioni
Steals: 3 - Pablo Prigioni
Blocks: 1 - Carlos Delfino
France Team Leaders
Points: 17 - Tony Parker
Rebounds: 7 - Nicolas Batum
Assists: 4 - Tony Parker
Steals: 1 - Four Tied
Blocks: 3 - Kevin Seraphin
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The Argentinians just let France dribble the clock out and that will be that. An emphatic block from Kevin Seraphin ends teh game.
Outstanding performance from France and a phenomenal game. What a treat in the preliminary rounds of Olympic Basketball.
End of the Game: Argentina 64 - 71 France
Tony Parker draws a foul and hits both of his free throws. France now up 7 as Andres Nocioni responds with a driving layup.
Fourth Quarter, 15.0 remaining: Argentina 64 - 71 France
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Luis Scola can't handle the pass and France gets the steal. Kevin Seraphin with the finish in transition and we have a seven point game! What a final two minutes!
Fourth Quarter, 1:06 remaining: Argentina 62 - 69 France
Luis Scola splits the free throws and we have a five point game with 1:20 remaining.
Wow.
Luis Scola first draws the final foul on Ronny Turiaf. Seconds later, he draws a foul to lead to Boris Diaw's early exit. Major change of momentum with just over a minute and a half remaining.
Fourth Quarter, 1:44 remaining: Argentina 61 - 67 France
With their backs against the wall, Argentina receives a big time shot from their leader. Who but Manu Ginobili?
Luis Scola then steals the offensive rebound from Ronny Turiaf and draws the foul. What a turn of events! Ronny Turiaf has fouled out and Argentina has the ball on a play that should have led to France's possession!
Big plays form big names.
Fourth Quarter, 1:48 remaining: Argentina 61 - 67 France
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Tony Parker has been beaten around today but his fourth quarter performance has been of the ages. Everything is going down for him and he's doing it all with the game on the line.
Manu Ginobili misses the three and Argentina is in bad position. If they lose today, France then has an easy path to second in the pool while Argentina must compete with Lithuania, Nigeria and Tunisia for the third spot.
Having Team USA ahead of them makes this game a must-win. Can they come back?
Fourth Quarter, 2:52 remaining: Argentina 58 - 67 France
Pablo Prigioni has crossed every player up that he has faced today. Unfortunately, he's visibly tired and cannot stay in front of Tony Parker. Parker draws yet another foul and this appears to be France's game to lose.
Free throws will come after the commercial break.
Fourth Quarter, 3:22 remaining: Argentina 58 - 64 France
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Tony Parker responds to Manu Ginobili with a huge jump shot of his own. France will not let up on the gas and they could have an upset here.
Parker then slashes and lays it in with a beautiful change of direction.
Fourth Quarter, 4:07 remaining: Argentina 58 - 64 France
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Manu Ginobili with a huge three-pointer as he cuts the lead to two points. This came off of a turnover where France threatened to extend the lead to 7.
Fourth Quarter, 5:25 remaining: Argentina 58 - 60 France
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Apparently Nicolas Batum just remembered he's still playing in an important game. Seems like his Portland Trail Blazers career all over again.
Big three-pointer but he's unable to defend Luis Scola in the post.
Fourth Quarter, 6:48 remaining: Argentina 55 - 58 France
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Pablo Prigioni has been phenomenal with his perimeter and slashing defense. Tony Parker has been outstanding off of the dribble but struggled to score efficiently due to his nagging eye injury and goggles.
Manu Ginobili, meanwhile, has started slow but turned it on quickly. Nicolas Batum started fast and cooled down instantly.
Who has the momentum? Which team will escape with a victory tonight? Hit the comments section and let us know!
Fourth Quarter, 8:20 remaining: Argentina 53 - 55 France
Argentina Team Leaders
Points: 18 - Manu Ginobili
Rebounds: 8 - Luis Scola
Assists: 6 - Pablo Prigioni
Steals: 2 - Manu Ginobili & Pablo Prigioni
Blocks: 1 - Carlos Delfino
France Team Leaders
Points: 11 - Nando De Colo & Mickael Gelabele
Rebounds: 6 - Boris Diaw & Nicolas Batum
Assists: 3 - Boris Diaw & Tony Parker
Steals: 1 - Tony Parker
Blocks: 2 - Kevin Seraphin
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Argentina ties it up at 53 with a deuce from Manu Ginobili. Tony Parker responds with a two of his own and things are getting hot in London!
End of Third Quarter: Argentina 53 - 55 France
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Just seconds later, Nando De Colo hits a pocket three and France is once again in the lead.
Third Quarter, 42.9 remaining: Argentina 51 - 53 France
Argentina has begun to smother France, thus creating turnovers and transition opportunities. Manu Ginobili, meanwhile, doesn't need to be in transition to go full throttle at the basket.
He draws yet another foul and hits both free throws to give Argentina their first lead since the early goings of the first quarter.
Third Quarter, 1:26 remaining: Argentina 51 - 50 France
This has become a physical game, which has disrupted the flow of both teams. Argentina trails but they've really imposed their will over the past two quarters.
If France keeps playing like this, they might hold Argentina off. With Carlos Delfino yet to go off and Manu Ginobili finding his stroke, however, they should count their blessings.
Ginobili drives the length of the court and finishes with contact for an And-One. The lefty completes the three-point play.
Third Quarter, 2:00 remaining: Argentina 47 - 50 France
Argentina's starting lineup can beat anyone. Their bench, however, is one of the weakest in these Summer Games.
Facundo Campazzo cannot be placed on Tony Parker. Parker gets to the lines on two consecutive possessions.
Third Quarter, 2:49 remaining: Argentina 43 - 48 France
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Manu Ginobili and Bill Bradley are the only players in basketball history to win an Olympic Gold Medal, NBA Championship and EuroLeague Championship. Luis Scola seems inclined to make Ginobili a two-time Gold Medalist.
France is fighting them off, but that may not last very long. Argentina has been masterful since the second quarter.
Pablo Prigioni gets knocked onto the ground, picks himself and his dribble up, drives the lane and hits a fading bank shot with contact. Wow.
Second Quarter, 4:28 remaining: Argentina 43 - 42 France
Both teams have come out firing in the second half, with Manu Ginobili and Mickael Gelabele both hitting three-pointers early. France holds onto a two-point lead but Pablo Prigioni and Luis Scola's two-man game has become too much to handle.
Fortunately, France has this guy named Tony Parker
Third Quarter, 6:19 remaining: Argentina 37 - 39 France
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End of the Second Quarter: Argentina 29 - 32 France
Argentina Team Leaders
Points: 8 - Manu Ginobili
Rebounds: 3 - Pablo Prigioni
Assists: 5 - Luis Scola
Steals: 2 - Pablo Prigioni
Blocks: N/A
France Team Leaders
Points: 10 - Nicolas Batum
Rebounds: 6 - Boris Diaw
Assists: 2 - Nicolas Batum & Tony Parker
Steals: 1 - Tony Parker
Blocks: 1 - Three Tied
France has begun to fall apart at the end of the first half, as Argentina has begun to play very physical and moving the ball masterfully. Manu Ginobili with a perfect pass but Juan Gutierrez bobbles it out of bounds.
Nando De Colo rims out a bank-shot buzzer beater. Very close.
End of the Second Quarter: Argentina 29 - 32 France
Pablo Prigioni has been very impressive tonight. Although his shooting from three could certainly improve, he's gotten to the line for four free throw attempts and made some outstanding passes.
Unfortunately, France is a well-oiled machine right now and smothering the Argentinians on defense. They're also hitting almost all of their shots and giving the Argentinians fits throughout this first half.
Carlos Delfino to the line and he splits the two shots. Manu Ginobili follows with a transition score.
Second Quarter, 0:47 remaining: Argentina 29 - 32 France
Nicolas Batum with yet another great move off of the baseline and he finishes at the basket. Batum has been on fire thus far and showing the international crowd why he received such a hefty contract this Summer.
The Portland Trail Blazers are just hoping that he can play this way in the NBA.
Second Quarter, 2:32 remaining: Argentina 24 - 30 France
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