The United States and France are poised to clash for the women’s FIBA World Cup championship on Sunday, sparking an immediate rematch of their thrilling Olympic final from Paris two years ago. The Americans defeated the hosts by a single point in that earlier encounter, but US captain Breanna Stewart insists the previous result holds no weight as the teams prepare for the title game in Berlin.
Following a 76-66 semifinal victory over Spain on Saturday, Stewart emphasized the need to move forward. “This is a completely new game and everybody has their own things that continue to motivate them,” Stewart said. “I think that what I will continue to be preaching to this team is we’re going to turn the page on everything. This is one game to win the gold medal at the World Cup and that’s our entire focus.”
Stewart’s perspective is bolstered by significant roster turnover; more than half of the current US squad, including Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers, are competing for their first national team championship. Stewart, a three-time World Cup champion since her debut in 2014, shares the court with Kahleah Copper, who was instrumental in the Olympic win against France with 12 points. “They’re a different team, we’re a different team,” Copper noted. “Two great teams gonna go at it head-to-head.”
The American side has faced stiffer competition than usual during this historic tournament, which features a 35-game winning streak and four consecutive titles. Their group-stage win over Italy by just three points marked the closest margin any team has achieved against the US in group play in five decades, while the semifinal victory over Spain by 10 points was the narrowest of the streak. Previously, the US had won its last four medal-round games by an average of 26 points.
“It’s literally about us. Everything that we do is going to dictate what happens in tomorrow’s game,” Stewart said, highlighting the importance of emotional regulation. “There’s going to be a ton of emotions in this game. It’s going to be the team that really kind of regulates that and handles that best that will have the advantage.”
France, making its first-ever appearance in the Women’s World Cup final after defeating Germany, is equally focused on the present. Janelle Salaün dismissed the relevance of the Olympic loss, stating, “That was two years ago. There were different people involved, different players, so now we’re focusing on tomorrow and the here and now.”
Marine Johannes acknowledged the challenge posed by the Americans, noting that several French players compete against them in the WNBA. “If I’m being honest we have nothing to lose,” Johannes said. “We actually know they are a great team… It’s one game, nothing to lose. We are going to play hard and we’ll see what happens.”
Regardless of the outcome, France is securing its best World Cup finish since the inaugural tournament in 1953, when the nation took third place. Head coach Jean-Aimé Toupane expressed pride in the progress of French basketball globally. A French victory would represent a monumental shift, as the US has only lost one championship game since 1983, when they fell to the Soviet Union, and are 8-0 in title games since then.
“We didn’t come all this way for nothing – we’re here to win,” said French star Leila Lacan. “We won’t settle for the silver medal, we’re going to go and get that gold.”
Breanna Stewart needs a fourth ring! But France has that Olympic chip on their shoulder.
I love that France is playing with such confidence. They deserve respect after this run.
The WNBA rivalry adds such good context. France knows exactly what they are facing.
Is the 35-game streak finally going to end? The margins have been way too close lately.
Caitlin Clark and the rookies making their first final? What a moment for women’s basketball!
France having nothing to lose is scary. They might actually pull the upset in Berlin.
Breanna Stewart is right, this is a totally different US squad now. Can’t rely on past glory.