Germany pulled off a shocker in the FIBA World Cup quarter-finals, stunning No. 5 ranked Belgium with a 93-74 victory and sending more than 10,000 fans wild. That was the only real surprise in a quarter-final round that saw all four games end in blowouts, but man, what a surprise it was! Now the semi-finals are locked in for Saturday: Team USA takes on Spain, and France will face Germany.
Team USA Is Just Too Stacked, Period.
Team USA absolutely crushed Hungary, winning 108-56, and it was over almost immediately. Seriously, this squad is way too stacked, focused, and poised to ever drop a game to Hungary. They cruised to victory with nearly double their opponent’s points.
Napheesa Collier stepped up big time, leading the team with 19 points and seven rebounds. She’s had an up-and-down World Cup, but if this is the level she’s bringing from now on, Team USA has zero worries. Rhyne Howard was also super impressive with 15 points. And Caitlin Clark? She’s still a super sub, putting up 10 points, nine rebounds, and an insane +36 plus-minus in this game. Clark now owns the best plus-minus in the whole World Cup at a mind-boggling +94.
France Racks Up a Win, Germany Stuns the World
France bested China 90-61, and while everyone usually talks about their “Big 3” of Gabby Williams, Dominque Malonga, and Marine Johannès, it was Janelle Salaün’s night. She dropped 15 points, shot 50 percent from the field, and grabbed six rebounds, earning Player of the Game honors. Johannès was equally productive, also scoring 15 points on 50% shooting and adding seven assists.
Then came Germany’s shocker. Emma Meesseman went all out for Belgium, scoring 29 points on 21 field goal attempts, but it just wasn’t enough. Germany, ranked No. 11 in the world, beat the No. 5 ranked host country comfortably. Leonie Fiebich was a key to Germany’s unbelievable success. This result is going to shake up those world rankings, no doubt about it.
So, the Final Four is set! Team USA squares off against Spain, while France goes head-to-head with the surprising Germans on Saturday. You gotta wonder if Germany has another upset in them after that performance against Belgium. Get ready, because these semi-finals are going to be wild, with a spot in the World Cup final on the line!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Swish Appeal.
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