Group USA’s path to a fifth consecutive FIBA Girls’s Basketball World Cup title was something however simple. On Sunday, Sept. 13, america confronted France within the championship sport in Berlin, Germany and located themselves trailing by 14 factors within the second quarter. However what initially regarded like a possible upset rapidly become one other show of U.S. dominance, as Group USA stormed again to defeat France 97-79 and declare its twelfth World Cup title.
France began their debut within the World Cup Closing on a dominant 21-2 run, wanting like they have been going to run away with the lead. They entered the second quarter with a 31-17 lead, powered by Gabby Williams and Dominique Malonga. Williams fueled the early lead by placing up 16 factors and three steals within the first half. Her dominant efficiency, together with her efficiency all through the match, led to her being named the 2026 FIBA World Cup Finest Defensive Participant. Malonga was additionally a powerhouse for France, ending the sport with a team-high 21 factors.
Within the second quarter, the usslowly started to chip away on the deficit, narrowing the lead by halftime. What had been a 14-point French benefit was down to 2 by the break, giving the People an opportunity to reset. Caitlin Clark was a key think about shifting the momentum in favor of the U.S., hitting a vital buzzer-beating three-pointer to shut the primary half and carry the People inside two.
Halftime gave the U.S. time to regroup and take management within the third quarter, opening with a dominant 11-2 run to erase its deficit. The staff’s momentum was additional fueled by back-to-back three-pointers by Kahleah Cooper and Jackie Younger. The U.S. additionally tightened up their protection, efficiently shutting down Williams, forcing turnovers and limiting France’s outdoors taking pictures. The quarter ended with Clark answering a France three-pointer with a jumper, giving the U.S. to a 73-57 16-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The comeback was largely led by veteran staff members, together with Breanna Stewart. Stewart proved to be a number one power for the staff, ending with 22 factors and 9 rebounds and incomes match MVP honors. Stewart additionally grew to become a four-time World Cup champion with the win. Napheesa Collier additionally performed a key veteran position, offering a formidable defensive presence. The roles of Collier and Stewart as soon as once more demonstrated the attain of the UConn ladies’s basketball program past Storrs.
With the 97-79 victory, the U.S. secured its fifth consecutive FIBA Girls’s Basketball World Cup title and twelfth total. Regardless of dealing with its largest deficit of the match within the championship sport, the staff responded with the identical resilience that has made them virtually untouchable on the worldwide stage. France’s early lead confirmed that the U.S. wouldn’t merely cruise to a different title, however by the ultimate buzzer, the People had as soon as once more proved their potential to reply when challenged and end the match as world champions.
With the World Cup now behind them, most of the gamers from each the U.S. and French groups will return to the WNBA for the the rest of the season. After competing towards one another on the worldwide stage, they are going to reunite with their WNBA teammates and, in some circumstances, face one another once more because the league heads into postseason.
