The United States has claimed yet another FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup title, defeating France 97-79 in the final in Berlin to secure their fifth consecutive world championship and 12th gold medal overall in the event.
The victory extends an extraordinary run of dominance for the Americans, who have now won every Women's Basketball World Cup since Australia's Opals last claimed the crown back in 2006.
Stewart and Young Lead the Charge
Breanna Stewart was the standout performer in the final, finishing with 22 points and 10 rebounds to lead her team to a comfortable victory. Jackie Young was equally influential, chipping in with 18 points, six rebounds and five assists as the US dismantled France across four quarters.
Kahleah Copper contributed 15 points, while both Chelsea Gray and Caitlin Clark added 12 points apiece. Clark, one of basketball's most closely watched rising stars — much like other exciting young talents reshaping the sport — capped a strong tournament with a timely jumper late in the third quarter to push the lead out to 73-57.
For France, Dominique Malonga was the best on court, finishing with 21 points and six rebounds, while Gabby Williams added 20 points and seven assists. It was not enough, however, to withstand the American onslaught.
A Defining Third Quarter Sealed the Result
France actually held a narrow advantage for much of the first half, leading 20-17 after the opening quarter following a three-pointer from Marine Johannes and a pair of free throws from Malonga. The teams were level at 45-43 at halftime, setting up a tense second half.
What followed in the third quarter was a complete transformation. Team USA outscored France 30-12 in the period — one of the most decisive quarters of the entire tournament. With the score tied at 47-all early in the third, Stewart, Copper and Young combined to ignite a 7-0 run, pushing the US ahead 54-47.
The Americans then found another gear with just over two minutes remaining in the quarter. Gray and Copper added baskets, before a blistering 9-0 run — capped by Aliyah Boston's lay-up — blew the game open at 71-54. The US never looked back, heading into the fourth quarter with a commanding lead.
Historic Dominance Continues
The win reinforces the United States' status as the undisputed powerhouse of women's basketball on the world stage. No other nation has won more than six gold medals in the history of the Women's Basketball World Cup, a competition the Americans have now won at the 2018 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup and in every edition since Australia's 2006 triumph.
In the third-place match, Spain — who had fallen to the US in the semifinals — claimed the bronze medal with an 81-58 victory over host nation Germany.
