Olympics-Basketball-French fans roar their side to victory over Brazil in Lille

Paris 2024 Olympics - Basketball - Men's Group Phase - Group B - France vs Brazil - Lille, Pierre Mauroy Stadium, Villeneve-d'Ascq, France - July 27, 2024. Yago Santos of Brazil in action against Victor Wembanyama of France REUTERS/Brian Snyder

LILLE, France (Reuters) - The Olympic party arrived in Lille on Saturday as fans from all over France filled the Stade Pierre Mauroy, cheering and singing to the rhythm of 'tambour' drums as the national men's side beat Brazil on the first day of the basketball competition.

France defeated Brazil 78-66 thanks to a brilliant performance from NBA side San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama. Nicknamed "The Alien" because of his 7-foot-3-inches (2.22 m) frame, he scored 17 points to lead his team to victory.