Team USA captured another international basketball crown by defeating France 97–79 in the tournament final in Berlin, extending a championship streak to 36 tournament wins and securing their fifth global title.
Berlin Final Recap: How Team USA Overcame a French First-Half Surge
Playing in front of 12,233 spectators in Berlin, the champions had to work through an early deficit before securing the 97–79 victory. France, seeking redemption after a narrow 67–66 defeat in the Paris Olympic final, opened the match with aggressive play. According to match reports, the French side capitalized on early momentum to claim a 20–17 lead after the first quarter.
That advantage stretched to 14 points in the second period, with France leading 31–17. The American squad slowly chipped away at the deficit, narrowing the gap to 45–43 by halftime.
Turning the Tide After the Break
The second half told a different story as the American defense tightened and the offense found a rhythm. Team USA overhauled the deficit and pushed into a double-digit lead during the third quarter, extending the margin to 73–57 after 30 minutes of play. Breanna Stewart anchored the scoring effort with 22 points, while the squad maintained control through the final quarter to seal the 18-point victory.
The physical nature of the final boiled over in the closing minute of the third quarter. Kahleah Copper drove toward the basket for a layup when France’s Marine Johannes contested the play, catching Copper across the nose with her arm. Officials reviewed the sequence and assessed Johannes an unsportsmanlike foul.
Roster Dynamics and Coaching Choices
Head coach Kara Lawson relied heavily on veteran leadership throughout the tournament. In the lead-up to the event, much of the public discussion centered on younger American college standouts, including Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, and Caitlin Clark. However, Lawson deployed the trio in supporting, role-playing capacities during the championship run, leaning instead on seasoned veterans to navigate tough moments like the first-half deficit against France.
Notable figures watched from the sidelines in Berlin, including German basketball legend Dirk Nowitzki, who observed both the final and the third-place playoff where the host German team fell 81–58 to Spain.
Tournament Context and Historical Dominance
The victory marks the twelfth overall global title for the program and extends a winning streak that stretches back nearly two decades. Records show that the team’s last tournament defeat occurred during the 2006 semifinals against Russia, where they fell 75–68. Since then, the program has rattled off 36 victories on the international stage.
For players like Breanna Stewart and France's Gabby Williams, the match served as a reunion of sorts.
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