The France women’s national basketball team secured a historic silver medal at the FIBA World Cup after falling 97-79 to the United States in the final on Sunday at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany, according to match reports from TF1 Info and TV5Monde. Despite pushing the reigning champions level through a strong opening half, Les Bleues were ultimately outpaced by the speed and depth of a dominant American squad that captured its fifth world title.
For the French basketball program, the result marks only the second podium finish in World Cup history, matching the bronze medal won by the pioneering 1953 squad in Chile. It also follows a narrow 67-66 defeat to the same American opponents two years prior in the final of the Paris Olympic Games, according to match records detailed by TF1 Info.
A Competitive First Half Give Way to U.S. Dominance
France entered Sunday’s championship match carrying considerable momentum. Having won their first four matches of the tournament under Jean-Aimé Toupane, the roster boasted eight players with WNBA experience, anchoring a collective maturity that fueled early ambitions of an upset. Gabby Williams led the offensive charge in the opening periods, scoring 16 of her team-high 20 points before halftime and steering Les Bleues into an early advantage.
TV5Monde noted that France even built a 17-point lead at 31-17 during the second quarter. However, a sequence involving a foul following a three-pointer by Jackie Young allowed U.S. captain Breanna Stewart—who finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists—to spark a swift American response that narrowed the gap below ten points before the intermission.
The Decisive Third Quarter
The turning point arrived decisively in the third frame, which the United States controlled 30-12. American shooters capitalized from beyond the arc, converting 8 of 19 attempts from three-point range. Jackie Young tallied 18 points, Kahleah Copper added 15, and Caitlin Clark chipped in 12 to stretch the margin.
As the U.S. offense accelerated in transition, France struggled to maintain its collective rhythm, accumulating 16 turnovers. A double unsportsmanlike foul against Marine Johannès and Dominique Malonga in the closing moments of the third quarter handed the United States four points in a single possession, extending the lead to 71-54 and effectively sealing the outcome inside an Uber Arena that had initially hosted vocal French supporters.
Standout Performances and Final Stretch
Dominique Malonga provided a late spark for France, scoring 21 points and grabbing 6 rebounds at just 20 years of age. Her basket cut the deficit to 14 points at 88-74 with under three minutes remaining, but Copper immediately answered with a long-range jumper to extinguish any hopes of an improbable comeback.
While Malonga and Williams carried the scoring load, Marine Johannès finished with five points and five turnovers, struggling to find her usual shooting rhythm after strong performances earlier in the tournament. Valériane Ayayi pointed out after the final buzzer that the team allowed their opponents too many second-chance opportunities through offensive rebounds and fast breaks.
Broader Implications for International Basketball
The victory extends an era of dominance for the United States national team, which has remained undefeated in major international competitions—including the Olympics and World Cups—for two decades. The American program remains the five-time defending world champion.
For France, settling for silver concludes a successful tournament run while highlighting the ongoing gap at the absolute summit of international women’s basketball. This defeat in the final also deprives the French women of a direct ticket to the Olympic Games, where they hope to meet the Americans again in 2028 in Los Angeles.
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