Pelle Larsson Scores 23 Points Against France, But Sweden Fall Short in World Cup Qualifier
Pelle Larsson delivered a standout performance in front of a packed home crowd, scoring 23 points as Sweden pushed France all the way before eventually losing 84-69 in the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup European Qualifiers.
The Miami Heat guard was Sweden’s biggest offensive threat throughout the contest, leading all scorers with 23 points in 34 minutes.
Despite Larsson’s impressive display, France’s quality eventually proved decisive as the visitors produced a strong fourth-quarter finish.
Larsson Leads Sweden’s Offense
Larsson came out aggressively and scored 18 of his 23 points in the first half, helping Sweden stay level with France at 38-38 at halftime.
He finished the game shooting 4-of-9 from the field, including 2-of-3 from three-point range. He was particularly effective from the free-throw line, making 13 of 16 attempts.
However, his seven turnovers proved costly as France gradually gained control.
Official statistics also credit Larsson with one rebound and one assist.
Sweden Stayed in the Game Until the Fourth Quarter
The game remained remarkably competitive for most of the night.
Sweden entered the fourth quarter trailing by only one point, and with roughly five minutes remaining, the hosts even held a 65-64 lead.
Playing in front of a sellout crowd of 14,750 fans at Stockholm’s Globen, Sweden appeared capable of producing a major upset against a French team featuring NBA superstar Victor Wembanyama.
But France responded when it mattered most.
France Finish With a 20-4 Run
The visitors took control during the closing minutes, finishing the game with a 20-4 run to turn a close contest into a 15-point victory.
Wembanyama led France with 18 points, eight rebounds and three blocks, while Maxime Raynaud added 13 points.
Sweden struggled to keep pace once France found its rhythm in the final quarter.
Larsson Admits Fatigue Played a Role
Despite being Sweden’s leading scorer, Larsson was highly critical of his own performance after the game.
The 25-year-old admitted that fatigue affected him late in the contest and contributed to several unforced turnovers.
Larsson played 34 of the game’s 40 minutes, the most of any player, making his workload particularly significant.
Rather than focusing on his 23 points, the NBA guard pointed to his conditioning and ball security as areas he wanted to improve.
A Special Night for Larsson
The game was particularly emotional for Larsson because of the opportunity to represent Sweden in front of his home supporters.
With the NBA season approaching, the France game was his final appearance for Sweden during this qualifying window. He will return to Miami and is expected to miss Sweden’s upcoming qualifying games because the NBA season does not pause for those fixtures.
After the game, Larsson became visibly emotional while discussing the support from his family, friends and the Swedish fans.
The sold-out crowd made the occasion even more memorable for the Miami guard.
France Escape After a Major Scare
France entered the contest as the stronger team, but Sweden showed that it could compete with one of Europe’s leading basketball nations.
The hosts held France close for three quarters and even led late in the fourth. Ultimately, however, France’s depth and ability to execute down the stretch made the difference.
For Sweden, Larsson’s 23-point performance provides an encouraging sign heading into the remainder of the World Cup qualifying campaign.
For France, the victory keeps its strong qualifying position intact.
Larsson may have ended the night disappointed by the result, but his performance showed exactly why the Miami Heat guard has become such an important part of Sweden’s national team.