Williams leads France past host Germany to reach World Cup final — SkimNews
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- Gabby Williams scored 22 points with five rebounds to lead France past host Germany 86-64 in the women's FIBA World Cup semifinal at Berlin Arena on Saturday.
- Janelle Salaun posted a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Marine Johannes added 13 points including three 3-pointers and slowed the tempo in the fourth quarter.
- France coach Jean-Aime Toupane called the matchup 'a tricky game,' as Germany mounted a dogged effort in front of a partisan home crowd that refused to let go.
- Marine Johannes said 'it was really a fight tonight,' framing the semifinal as a physical test France was prepared for after Germany's upset-laden run.
- France advances to Sunday's final against the winner of Spain vs. the United States, the four-time defending champion and tournament favorite whose semifinal was played later Saturday.
- Germany reached its first women's World Cup semifinal since the round was introduced in 1986, with coach Olaf Lange having called the quarterfinal win over European champion Belgium 'German basketball's best day.'
Why it matters: France's win books them into the world title game for the first time, setting up a Sunday final against either the four-time defending champion United States or Spain. Germany, in just its second tournament appearance, exited further than ever before but was outclassed by 22 points against a deeper French roster led by Williams.
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