France defeat Lithuania to take bronze in Basketball World Cup

France claimed the bronze medal in the FIBA Basketball World Cup on Saturday after beating Lithuania 95-93 in the third and four 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. 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.