Sweden made the ideal start to their second qualifying round campaign with an 86-81 away win over Finland three days earlier, but even with home advantage, a match with top-of-the-group France - fresh from cruising past Slovenia - would require the Swedes to raise their level again.
And raise their game they did, with Pelle Larsson of the Miami Heat once again running the show, scoring 18 points in the first half to ensure the teams went in level at the break, 38-38. Yet, it was already something of a missed opportunity, after Sweden had led by eight points early in the second quarter.
Bobi Klintman and Ludvig Hakanson made scoring contributions in a third quarter in which the lead changed hands constantly, ending with the Olympic silver medallists a point clear. The rhythm continued early in the fourth, as Sweden led by one point with just over five minutes to play.
But in clutch time, France showed exactly why they are contenders to win the World Cup with a dominant end to the game - Victor Wembanyama, the 224cm tall San Antonio Spurs man, sunk a three-pointer that was part of an 8-0 run, and though the home side briefly cut the lead back to five, France were clinical at both ends of the court to end the game with a 9-0 streak to make the 84-69 win look a lot simpler than it really was.
Larsson was not as effective in the second half, but still top scored with 23 points, five clear of Wembanyama, who was also second in terms of rebounds on eight, one shy of Viktor Gaddefors.
With results carrying over from the previous round, Sweden have four wins and four defeats so far, and will resume their campaign in November with matches at home to Hungary and away to France, as they look to seal a top-three place in the group. France increased their record to 7-1 to stay in first place.
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