Madrid, Sep 14 (IANS): France claimed the bronze medal in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Saturday after beating Lithuania 95-93 in the third and fourth place play-off.
The French produced a powerful final quarter and then held their nerve in a tense last two minutes as both sides interchanged fouls in an attempt to gain a tactical advantage, Xinhua reported.
Batum, who was outstanding for France in their semi-final defeat to Serbia, was again his side's star player, netting 27 points and proving to be effective from outside of the zone to give his side a deserved consolation for a fine performance in the knockout stages of the competition in which they produced the World Cup's biggest shock by defeating hosts, Spain in the last 8.
Sunday's final sees favourites, the USA, face Serbia in the final.