On Sunday, the United States women’s basketball team will meet France in the final of the FIBA World Cup in Berlin. After a dominant 76-66 victory over Spain in Saturday’s semifinal, the Americans are poised to add another championship to a historic run that includes four straight titles and 35 consecutive wins.
Veteran leadership and fresh faces
Team captain Breanna Stewart, who also helped the U.S. win the Olympic gold medal in Paris two years ago, said the upcoming game is a “completely new game” and that the team’s focus is on turning the page and winning the gold medal. “We’re going to turn the page on everything,” Stewart said. “This is one game to win the gold medal at the World Cup in Berlin and that’s our entire focus.”
While Stewart brings experience, more than half of the current roster was not on the Olympic squad. Rising stars such as Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers are playing in their first World Cup championship, adding youthful energy to a seasoned core that has captured three World Cup titles since Stewart’s debut in 2014.
Key contributors
Kahleah Copper, who scored 12 points in the 2024 Olympic final against France, highlighted the competitive nature of the matchup. “They’re a different team, we’re a different team,” Copper said. “Two great teams gonna go at it head‑to‑head.”
The United States has dominated the tournament, winning most games by large margins. Their closest group‑stage contest was a three‑point win over Italy, the narrowest margin in a group game in 50 years. The semifinal against Spain, a 10‑point victory, was the tightest medal‑round game of the current streak. Over the past four medal‑round contests, the Americans have averaged a 26‑point margin of victory.
Focus on teamwork and emotion
Stewart emphasized the importance of internal focus and emotional control. “Everything that we do is going to dictate what happens in tomorrow’s game and making sure that’s the main focus as we continue to look inward,” she said. “Whether that’s lifting a teammate up or high‑fiving them or telling them to shoot the next shot, there’s going to be a ton of emotions in this game. It’s going to be the team that really kind of regulates that and handles that best that will have the advantage.”
French perspective
France’s players also downplay the Olympic result from two years ago. “That was two years ago,” forward Janelle Salaün said. “There were different people involved, different players, so now we’re focusing on tomorrow and the here and now.”
Veteran Marine Johannes added, “If I’m honest we have nothing to lose. We actually know they are a great team. They won every World Cup for years and years. We are playing with these players all season in the WNBA actually. We know how good they are. It’s one game, nothing to lose. We are going to play hard and we’ll see what happens.”
Historical significance for France
France is aiming for its best finish ever in the tournament. The French team has not won a medal since the inaugural competition in 1953, when they placed third. Coach Jean‑Aimé Toupane said after the semifinal win over Germany, “It means a lot. This is the first time we’re taking it to this level. You can see how French basketball all around the world is improving.”
Leila Lacan, a member of the French squad, stated, “We didn’t come all this way for nothing – we’re here to win. We won’t settle for the silver medal, we’re going to go and get that gold.”
What’s at stake
The United States has only lost once in a World Cup championship game, falling to the Soviet Union in 1983, and they are currently 8‑0 in finals appearances. A victory would extend that perfect record and cement the U.S. women’s program as the most successful in international basketball history.
Fans across the nation will be watching the showdown, which promises high‑level competition, seasoned leadership, and a chance for the French team to make history. The outcome will shape the narrative of women’s basketball for years to come.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
