USA defeats France to win FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup

The United States women’s basketball team secured their 12th FIBA World Cup title after defeating France 97-79 in the final held in Berlin. This victory extends the American team's tournament winning streak to 36 consecutive games, a run that dates back to 2006.

The championship game saw a competitive start, with France holding a two-point lead at half-time. France, appearing in their first-ever World Cup final, had entered the match with strong momentum, having not allowed any previous opponent to come within 20 points of them during the tournament. Gabby Williams led the French effort early, scoring 16 of her 20 total points during the first half.

The momentum shifted significantly in the third quarter, during which the United States outscored France 30-12. This surge allowed the Americans to overcome their early deficit and establish a lead that they maintained for the remainder of the contest.

Breanna Stewart led the scoring for the United States with a game-high 22 points. Jackie Young also contributed significantly to the victory, hitting four three-pointers and finishing with 18 points. Caitlin Clark, who had scored one point in the semifinal, added 12 points in the final, including two successful shots from beyond the arc.

Entering the final, the United States had faced challenges throughout the tournament, including close contests against Italy and a difficult semifinal match against Spain. Despite these vulnerabilities, the team maintained its status as the tournament favorite and successfully defended its title.