Breanna Stewart celebrated her team’s victory at the women’s FIBA World Cup by proudly displaying an American flag around her. The U.S. team, led by Stewart, clinched their fifth consecutive World Cup title by defeating France 97-79. This win extended their unbeaten streak at the World Cup to 36 games, starting from the 2006 World Cup where they suffered a loss to Russia in the semifinals.
Stewart, who scored 22 points in the final game, emphasized the high standards set by USA Basketball, aiming for gold consistently. The Americans faced a tough challenge against France, trailing by 14 points in the first half. However, they regrouped behind Stewart and Jackie Young, narrowing the gap to two points by halftime.
The second half saw the U.S. team dominate, starting with an 11-2 run in the third quarter to take a 54-47 lead. Stewart’s performance, adding four points during this crucial phase, propelled the team forward. Despite France’s efforts to close in, the Americans surged ahead with a 16-3 run, securing a 73-57 lead going into the final quarter.
The victory marked the U.S.’s ninth gold-medal win in history, reaffirming their status as a dominant force in women’s basketball. The team showcased a blend of experienced players and newcomers, with veterans playing a key role in securing the championship.
In another game, Spain claimed the bronze medal by defeating host Germany 81-58, led by Iyana Martin’s 22 points. The Spanish team’s speed and precision outmatched Germany, who struggled with turnovers throughout the match. Spain’s victory marked their third third-place finish in the tournament, adding to their previous achievements in 2010 and 2018.
The emotional victory for Spain was a memorable experience for the players, with tears of joy and gratitude shared among the team members. Germany, aiming for their first-ever medal, fell short against Spain, who displayed a dominant performance in both encounters between the teams.
