Team USA secured its fifth women’s basketball world title and twelfth overall after defeating France 97–79 in the final at Berlin, maintaining a composed demeanor throughout a hard-fought contest, according to tournament reports. The victory extended a dominant streak in international women’s basketball that has lasted for nearly two decades.
A Controlled Finish in Berlin
The United States captured the gold medal after overcoming an early French surge in the championship matchup, according to match accounts. Despite France taking an early advantage and leading by as many as 14 points at 31–17 during the second quarter, Team USA steadied its play before halftime.
A crucial three-pointer from Caitlin Clark narrowed the gap to just two points heading toward the break, setting up a decisive third quarter. According to post-match reports, the American squad then seized full control of the floor by outscoring their opponents 30–12 in the third frame, ultimately cruising to the 97–79 final score.
Standout Performers and Team Statistics
Breanna Stewart led all American scorers with 22 points, dictating the pace on both ends of the floor. Caitlin Clark contributed 12 points and four assists to the championship effort, anchoring the backcourt execution during the decisive middle quarters.
For France, the silver medal marked a historic milestone as the nation’s first-ever podium finish at a world championship, building on their runner-up finish at the Paris Olympic Games two years prior. Captain Gabby Williams and her teammates aimed to dethrone the reigning champions, but the physical challenge proved difficult to sustain over forty minutes.
“We didn’t know how to respond, they won the physical battle, they dominated us,” French interior player Dominique Malonga said in comments reported by BeIN Sports following the final whistle, acknowledging the difficulty of immediately appreciating the silver achievement.
Historical Context and Global Dominance
The result extends an era of American supremacy in the global tournament, where the program has claimed gold. France entered the contest having reached its first world final, hoping to overturn a history where the United States has routinely set the benchmark for international competition.
French head coach Jean-Aimé Toupane’s squad navigated a challenging bracket—including an 86–64 victory over host nation Germany in the semifinals—before running into an unyielding American response in the gold-medal game.
Worth a look
