The U.S. women’s basketball team is locked in for the FIBA World Cup final on Sunday, setting up an absolute blockbuster against France! This isn’t just any game, folks, this is a full-blown rematch of the 2024 Olympic final, a game the Americans snatched by a single point. You know that one stung France, and they’ll be looking for payback big time.
The Streak is Real and It’s Getting Crazy
Our squad isn’t just winning games; they’re redefining dominance. They just punched their ticket to the final in Berlin after taking down Spain 76-66 in Saturday’s semifinals. France handled their business too, dispatching Germany 86-64 earlier in the day. But get this: the U.S. has won an insane 35 consecutive World Cup games stretching all the way back to 2006! They’ve claimed the last four titles, and their combined World Cup and Olympic win streak now stands at a mind-blowing 71 games. France almost blew that streak up two years ago in Paris, where the U.S. barely escaped the Olympic final 67-66, avoiding their first Olympic loss since 1992. That’s how close it was!
This tournament has seen some serious firepower. France has been on a tear, outscoring their first five opponents by an average of 35.6 points per game. The U.S. has also dominated, with an average margin of victory of 27.8 points, though Italy kept it close with a mere three-point loss in the group stage. Spain also proved to be a real test, keeping the semifinal tied after three quarters. Our team had to dig deep to pull that one out, showing they can handle the pressure when it counts.
Stewart Steps Up as France Poses a Major Threat
Leading the charge for the U.S. in Saturday’s semifinal was Breanna Stewart, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and easily our most experienced player. She dropped 16 points and grabbed six rebounds, showing up big when the team needed her. It’s even more impressive considering the U.S. is without the world’s best player, WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, who had to withdraw from the roster just a week before the tournament for health reasons. That’s a huge blow, but the team is clearly responding!
On the other side, France is absolutely stacked. They boast the second-most WNBA players of any team in this World Cup, with eight pros on their roster. Their captain, Gabby Williams, an All-Star for the Golden State Valkyries, is a serious problem. This isn’t just any opponent; France has the talent and the history with us to make this an unforgettable final.
So, get ready for Sunday! The stakes couldn’t be higher for this U.S. team, with a historic winning streak on the line and a chance to solidify their dominance against a formidable opponent hungry for revenge. You don’t want to miss this one!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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