In a year of box-office odysseys, the United States’ veterans kept their FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup dynasty alive by beating heavyweights France 97-79 on Sunday (13 September) to secure their 12th title overall.
In their 35th World Cup win in a row, they became the first team in history to win five consecutive Women’s World Cup golds.
The winning streak stretches back to 2006, when their next generation of stars Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers were just four years old.
While their nine newbies will return Stateside as world champions, it was their seniors who stole the show on closing night.
In her fourth World Cup, Breanna Stewart joined Sue Bird as the only players who have won four World Cup titles.
In Berlin, it was her best outing in a final yet, finishing with 22 points on route to a deserved third World Cup MVP award.
“I know what it takes to win at this level,” Stewart said in the press conference.
“I have confidence in myself in those big moments that I always have a chance to win.
“Credit to France; they are a tough team whenever we see them. But we are the standard. To win the way we do, our stats are insane, and we want to make sure we build on that and make sure the rest of the world knows that our goal is always gold.”
She was accompanied by her mainstay national teammates, who the USA desperately needed.
Jackie Young, with 18 points, became the first player in the final to put together over 15 points, five rebounds fie assists, while Kahleah Copper’s 15-point contribution was vital.
At times, the teething problems of a young group graduating into the major international stage have been evident. There have been recurring themes of winning by digging deep rather than by dominance. The final combined the story.
France, the side that have provided the greatest offensive entertainment and efficiency in Berlin, stepped up to their challenge in the first half, asking serious questions of the USA’s newly assembled roster.
But the second half swung the USA’s way, with all the dominance that had been missing from their tight victories in the group stage against Italy, and their semi-final win against Spain.
