USA wins fifth straight women's World Cup title with 97-79 win over France

The final of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup was played in Berlin on September 13, and the United States beat France 97-79. The U.S. won its fifth straight title and extended its tournament winning streak to 36.

The game was not easy for the U.S. France led by as many as 14 points in the first half, and the U.S. trailed 43-45 at halftime. The U.S. took the lead in the second half and closed out the game with a winning margin of 18 points. France had the better of the first half.

Tournament MVP Breanna Stewart scored 22 points in the final. Jackie Young added 18 points, and the U.S. advanced with multiple scoring sources rather than relying on any one player. Depth, including bench players, supported the second-half comeback.

Dominique Malonga scored 21 points for France, and Gabby Williams added 20. France reached the final for the first time after beating Germany in the semifinals, and according to FIBA, it was its first podium finish in 73 years.

In the third-place game, Spain beat host Germany. Japan was in Group A with Spain, Mali and Germany.

The Women's World Cup is the women's basketball world championship, held once every four years. FIBA organizes the event, and teams that win qualifying events on each continent take part. The country that wins the final becomes world champion until the next tournament.

The U.S. women's national team has long competed for the top spot at the Olympics and world championships. This time too, after trailing in the first half, it came back on the strength of its depth.

France has grown as a force in Europe and reached the final stage for the first time at this tournament. Although it lost, its first final appearance will serve as a foundation for strengthening the national team going forward.

Background

The U.S. has won five straight titles. France reached the final for the first time after beating Germany in the semifinals, and according to FIBA, it was its first podium finish in 73 years. Japan was in Group A with Spain, Mali and Germany.

Basketball Press view

The scoreline suggests a comfortable U.S. win, but France had the better of the first half. The U.S. did not collapse because it had multiple scoring sources, including its bench. For the chasing side, the challenge is building depth that can sustain that intensity for 40 minutes. The five straight titles are the result of the continued strengthening of the national team. For France, the focus is whether its first final appearance becomes a foundation for future national team development.

Translated from the Japanese article by the Basketball Press editors. AI is used to assist in translation.