in2ebook Chapter 693 China vs. France!
Chapter 693 China vs. France!
At 7 a.m., as usual, Old Jiang returned home carrying groceries and newspapers, and turned on the TV.
"Good morning, everyone. This is the morning news program, 'Morning News,' which is being broadcast live simultaneously on CCTV-1 and CCTV-9.
"It's 7 a.m. Beijing time now. Let's start with news about the Paris Olympics."
"On the first day of competition yesterday, the first gold medal was won in the mixed team 10-meter air rifle event..."
Old Jiang carried the groceries to the kitchen and put them inside.
Seemingly in a good mood, Old Jiang, unusually, started washing two cucumbers.
Although he didn't know what his wife would do next.
Soon, sound came from the television.
"In addition to the two gold and one bronze medals won by the Chinese team, several other matches were also held yesterday. Let's take a look at them through a short video."
The television seemed to be showing some kind of trailer, and the next moment, the narration began.
"Last night, the Chinese men's basketball team made their Olympic debut at the Mauroy Arena in Lille."
Old Jiang threw down the cucumber in his hand, not even having time to wipe his hands, and jogged back to the TV.
"China's men's basketball team's first opponent in the group stage is last year's World Cup champion, Germany."
"At the start of the game, Wang Xiucheng broke through and passed the ball to Zhou Qi, scoring the first point for the Chinese team in this Olympic Games."
"Then the German team demonstrated their all-around strength and quickly established a lead."
"In the end, the German team defeated the Chinese team 104-100, winning their first match in the group stage."
The news report didn't offer much commentary on the match; it simply broadcast the result.
"Then the other two teams in the group, France and Brazil, played against each other on the same field."
"In the end, the host team France, which boasts several NBA stars such as Wimbledon and Gobert, easily defeated Brazil 78-66."
"After the first round of matches, France is in first place in the group due to a better goal difference, the world champion Germany is in second place, and China is in third place with a point difference of -4."
"Huaxia's next match will be at 23 PM three days from now, against the host team France. Our sports channel will be broadcasting it live."
Old Jiang looked at the scene on TV and muttered, "It's a bit of a pity. They were so close to defeating the world champion!"
……
7 month 30 day.
Jinling, near the university town.
A group of teenagers who looked like students came to an internet cafe they frequented, and then they were dumbfounded when they saw a sign in front of the counter.
"The private rooms are full."
"What the hell? Isn't it a holiday?"
Several teenagers came to the university town specifically because they thought that since the university students were on vacation, there would be empty private rooms in the internet cafes.
But this was already the 7th internet cafe they had visited, and it was still full!
"Hey guys, that food stall said they only have one table left. We can still make it back now."
"It's a bit pricey, though, the minimum charge is 500 for one table..."
"That's too narrow-minded. If we beat France tonight, we'll make it to the quarterfinals. What's 500 yuan?"
"Okay, let's go back right away..."
……
In the business world, in a certain CBD, at a certain joint venture.
3 pm.
"Our team is in charge of the new product launch tomorrow afternoon at 1 pm. The hotel venue is basically set up, but there are still some miscellaneous things to take care of. It might take all night. Does anyone have time tonight to come with me to the hotel to finish these tasks?"
The twenty-odd people in the room looked at each other, and many of them lowered their heads.
Didn't you hear? It will take one night.
Is he crazy to spend a night with a bald, greasy guy like you?
No one volunteered.
The manager's face darkened, and he slammed the new product launch documents onto the table. "You don't want to go, do you?"
"Okay, then all the male employees will come with me, and none of them will go home tonight."
"You have ten minutes to notify your families. Anyone who doesn't go will face the consequences."
"Woman, get off work now and go home to tell your clients to arrive at the hotel early tomorrow. Meeting adjourned."
After saying this, the manager returned to his office.
Disappointed, a dozen or so male employees took out their phones and started asking their families for leave.
The female employees, fearing the manager might change his mind, grabbed their belongings and ran out of the company like madwomen.
In less than ten minutes, there wasn't a single female employee left in the entire company.
The manager was sitting inside, making a phone call.
"Yes, I need 10 servings of crayfish, 5 servings of hot pot, 5 servings of all kinds of meat, and 500 yuan worth of barbecue. You can grill whatever you want for me..."
"Yes, Bulgari Hotel, room 1221. I will let the front desk know in advance."
"There are 14 people in total. Get me plenty of cutlery, and yes, the beer needs to be cold..."
Bang bang bang, the door rang.
A young man who looked like he had just graduated walked in and waited for the manager to finish his call before saying, "Boss, are we done? Shall we leave now, or stay a little longer?"
"What kind of work are you talking about?" The manager glared at the man with displeasure. "Turn off the lights and lock the doors now. Everyone, move out to the hotel. Have Lao Wang and the others go to the garage to get the car right now."
"Okay!" The young man excitedly went out to inform the others.
……
Lille, France.
Maurois Stadium.
Unlike the previous match against Germany, tonight's game saw French fans occupying almost the entire stadium.
But it was this small group of Chinese fans who made a bigger noise.
Huge national flags fluttered in the stadium, and loud singing echoed throughout the venue.
At this point, the large screen on the dome displayed that the match had ended during regulation time.
The score was 84-84.
The score is tied!
At this moment, the players from both sides are resting on the bench, waiting for the upcoming overtime.
"I believe no one expected that we would draw with the host team, France, in regular time."
Yu Jia said with some emotion in the live broadcast room.
He really wanted to say that even if we lose this game, we will leave the stadium with our heads held high.
But at this moment, he certainly couldn't say such discouraging things.
Yang Yi then chimed in, "Just like I said, we are not a weak team. The reason the German team celebrated so wildly after beating us in the last match is because they knew that victory was hard-won."
"I believe Germany is also watching this match closely, and they must be able to feel the impact of the French team!"
"Both teams had low outside shooting percentages in this game, and France is a very good defensive team, so we intentionally let them go inside and defend the outside."
"The French tactic against us is to shut down Wang Xiucheng; I'll accept it if the others kill me."
"I believe that neither side will change their tactics in overtime."
The break time at the venue has now ended.
Players from both sides take the field.
The Chinese team is still led by Wang Xiucheng, Cui Yongxi, Li Kaier, David Muoka, and Zhou Qi.
The French team consisted of Wenbanyama, Gobert, Fournier, Batum, and Albicy.
Gobert won the contest, giving France the first possession of the game in extra time.
Fournier, the French guard who played for the Knicks and Pistons this season, received the ball from Gobert and advanced forward.
Gobert stood in front of Fournier, blocking Wang Xiucheng's path.
Wang Xiucheng has already snatched three balls from Fournier tonight.
And all three balls were converted into points.
This made Fournier extremely careful to maintain the distance between himself and Wang Xiucheng when he had the ball.
Once in the frontcourt, Gobert set a screen, Fournier entered the paint, and passed the ball to Wenbanyama.
Beyond the three-point line, Wenban Yama made no fakes and pulled up for a shot right in front of David Muoka.
Although David Muoka was prepared and had reached out his hand early, he only placed it on Wenban Yama's face.
Swish!
The sound of the basketball going through the net rang out.
France made their first shot in overtime.
And it was a three-pointer!