Lille, France, 7 August 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Germany scored twice in the final 14 seconds to force extra time en route to an upset 35-34 Olympic quarter-final victory over hosts France whose superstar Nikola Karabatic's career ended without a fourth gold medal on Wednesday.

The Germans rallied from six goals down to tie at 25-25 but seemed beaten when Dika Mem put France up 29-27 with 55 seconds left in regulation.

But Renars Uscins cut the deficit to one with 14 seconds left on a penalty throw. France called a timeout with six seconds left and had possession, but Mem then incredibly had a pass intercepted and Uscins levelled in the final second.

In extra time, France made it 34-34 15 seconds from the end, Uscins put Germany ahead with four seconds to go with his match leading 14th goal, which turned out to be the winner as a final attempt from Valentin Porte was saved by Germany goalkeeper David Spaeth.

The blackout from Mem, who led France scoring with 10 goals, was the most costly of 12 French turnovers to Germany's six. The hosts also paid for having six two minute penalties to Germany's three.

Germany advance into a semi-final against Spain, who also needed extra time to edge Egypt 29-28. The other quarter-finals - world champions Denmark v Sweden and Norway v Slovenia - are later Wednesday.

Karabatic, 40, retired without some final silverware after a decades-long glittering career which saw him win Olympic gold in 2008, 2012 and 2020, four world titles and three world player of the year awards.

French and German players applauded the living legend for several minutes post-match along with the 27,000-strong crowd.

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