Five things we learned after day six of 3x3 at Paris Olympics

PARIS (France) The semi-finalists were determined in the 3x3 men's competition, but the Paris Olympics dream ended for four countries. 

Here are things we learned on the penultimate day of the competition, which brought to a close pool play as the play-in games determined the last spots in the final four. 

France feed off crowd to knockout Serbia

Can you believe it, Serbia - the trendsetting 3x3 nation that has been unbeatable in recent years - have been eliminated before the semi-finals. How did this happen? 

They had been shaky all tournament and unusually rattled under pressure. And those woes were opened up by an energetic France in the play-in amid a cauldron as the rowdy partisan fans willed their heroes to great heights. 

France had the edge for much of the game, but Serbia hung in with superstar Strahinja Stojacic rebounding into top form after a patchy tournament. It came down to a nerve-jangling finish and up stepped Timothe Vergiat, who called game with a two-pointer to trigger unprecedented jubilation at La Concorde. 

It was France's first victory over Serbia in international play having lost 10 previous games. 

France are playing like men possessed and they present a formidable challenge to red-hot Latvia, who have not lost a game so far. It looms as a semi-final for the ages. 

 

As for Serbia, their quest for a first-ever Olympic gold ended in bitter disappointment and they will do a lot of soul searching over what went wrong for a team that had been unbeatable ever since the Tokyo Games three years ago. 

 

Miezis Magic as undefeated Latvia storm into the semis

Superstar Nauris Miezis is clearly not satisfied with just one gold medal. He desperately wants another and it might just be coming his way after Miezis capped Latvia's undefeated pool stage with an insane 13 points and 6 highlights in their 22-16 win over Poland. 

Miezis was unconscious, hitting five twos with the best being a Hail Mary from the logo to seal the deal. There was no let up from a ruthless Latvia despite going into the game knowing their place in the semis was secure. 

It's been a contrasting start for them compared to Tokyo, where Latvia started slowly before putting the foot on the gas in the knockout stages. 

Latvia will be hoping their momentum spills over into the final day and there is no reason to believe it won't. Miezis and partner-in-crime Karlis Lasmanis - who was also a hero in Tokyo - combined for 100 points in the pool stage at an average of 13.3 ppg. 

Even though France and their fans loom as a major obstacle, Latvia will be hard to stop and remain the favoite. 

 

Netherlands are firing on all cylinders

The good news for Dutch fans? Superstar Worthy de Jong appears to be going full tilt. After battling an ankle injury, which restricted his explosiveness earlier in the tournament, 'Hype Worthy' was unstoppable against USA to finish with 11 points and 5 highlights. 

He capitalized on a tiring USA to drive relentlessly to the basket, while he looked in better rhythm from deep.

But he's getting plenty of help with sniper Arvin Slagter shrugging off a slow start to the tournament by finding his radar. He was 3 of 3 from deep as the Netherlands' firepower blew away a shorthanded USA 21 -6 in a record 3x3 Olympic victory. 

 

 

The Netherlands will next face Lithuania, who enjoyed a remarkable day by beating Serbia - for the first time in international play - then Poland in the play-in. 

Lithuania are peaking at the right time and seemingly relish a backs-to-the-wall approach.  

Brave USA finally run out of gas

In many ways, it was quite remarkable that USA were still in position to make the play-in after superstar Jimmer Fredette injured his groin on day two against Poland. 

An explosion from Canyon Barry and a lot of American pride lifted USA to awe inspiring victories over France and China. 

But even after a day off USA were out of gas and their Olympic dreams were quickly shattered by ruthless Netherlands.

Barry was just 2 of 8 from the floor with his once lethal shot coming up continually short as his heavy workload through the tournament took its toll. 

But USA can be mighty proud of their effort and while disappointed the players seemed to know they did their country proud.

Fredette, who is the hard luck story of the tournament, used his fingers to share a heart symbol to loved ones in the crowd, while American 3x3 pioneer Kareem Maddox also acknowledged people close to him. 

It wasn't to be for USA, a gold medal contender, but their fighting spirit and an unforgettable day four means they will have some fond memories to draw upon from Paris. 

Ning Zhang gave it his all

China were rated as the underdog in the men's draw. And so it proved with China finishing with just one win, but you can't fault the effort of their main man Ning Zhang, who finished among the tournament's leading scorers with 49 points. 

He again led China in scoring against France, but it wasn't enough as they fell well short in their final game. 

But Zhang's stock rose considerably having demonstrated his liking for the big stage. Like he has done on the World Tour, Zhang put his head down and attacked the rim with few defenders able to stop him. 

China had just the one win but it was memorable as they beat powerhouse Serbia on day two thanks to a monster 11 points, 4 rebounds and 4 highlights from Zhang. 

His Olympic dreams may have ended, but the former Chengdu Masters MVP can attack the second half of the pro circuit with confidence.  

 FIBA