USA seeks fifth straight FIBA World Cup title vs. France — SkimNews
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- Team USA faces France in Sunday's FIBA Women's World Cup final at Berlin Arena, a rematch of the 2024 Olympic gold medal game USA won by one point after Gabby Williams' buzzer-beater was ruled a two-pointer because her foot was on the line.
- Gabby Williams has been the tournament's top performer for France, posting 22 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals in the semifinal win over Germany and remaining in line for MVP regardless of Sunday's outcome.
- France enters the final 5-0 with an average margin of victory of 35.6 points, leading the tournament in scoring (96.2 ppg), field goal percentage (51.6%), three-point percentage (44.2%), three-pointers made (73), and steals per game (13.2).
- France's roster features eight current WNBA players, including Williams' Valkyries teammate Janelle Salaün, Liberty's Marine Johannès, and Connecticut Sun guard Leïla Lacan.
- A Team USA win would deliver a fifth consecutive World Cup title, tying the Soviet Union's record of five straight titles from 1959 to 1975.
- Both writers predict a USA victory: Lindsay Gibbs picks 82-74, while Jack Maloney expects USA to win but France to cover the 7.5-point spread.
- Team USA's defense has held every opponent to 66 points or fewer, none have shot better than 37.9%, and all five opponents have committed at least 15 turnovers.
Why it matters: A USA win would tie the Soviet Union's record of five straight World Cup titles (1959-75). France, whose roster features eight current WNBA players and leads the tournament in scoring, shooting, and steals, would claim its first-ever world championship. With Paris decided by one point and France dominant in Berlin, this is a genuine title fight, not a coronation.
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