The United States advanced to the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup final for the fifth consecutive time, pulling away in the fourth quarter to beat Spain 76-66 on Saturday in Berlin. The victory extended the Americans’ World Cup winning streak to 35 games, dating back to 2006. Spain led 13-4 midway through the first quarter and trailed only 39-36 at halftime, but the U.S. managed to overcome a late deficit, tying the game at 58-58 entering the fourth quarter before sealing the win with a defensive effort and free-throw efficiency.
Breanna Stewart scored 16 points and Kahleah Copper added 13 for the four-time defending champions, who were tied at 58 entering the fourth quarter before finally taking control. Jackie Young added 12 points, with six of her points coming in the fourth quarter. Spain’s María Conde and Iyana Martín each scored 17 points, while Martín’s two free throws with 53 seconds left sent the game into the fourth tied at 58. The U.S. made only three of 18 three-point attempts, with Caitlin Clark finishing with one point and missing all three of her 3-point shots. Spain shot 37.9% from the field and 6-of-26 from three, while the U.S. made 39.7% of its field goals.
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The Americans’ success came from the free-throw line, where they made 27-of-35 attempts compared to Spain’s 10-of-11. Breanna Stewart was 8-of-11 from the line on her own, and the U.S. outscored Spain 27-10 in free throws. Spain’s defensive struggles were highlighted by the U.S. holding them to just eight points in the fourth quarter. コーチカラ・ローソンは、チームの守備の実行を称賛し、「守備面で最も良いプレーをしたと考えた。ボールを守るだけでなく、ボールスクリーンを守り、バックスクリーンをかけ、1本のシュートに抑えることができた。」と述べた。
The U.S. will face France in the final after the French team defeated host Germany 86-64 in the other semifinal. France has been dominant in the tournament, going 5-0 and outscoring opponents by 168 points (33.6 points per game). The final will take place on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET, airing on TNT and truTV and streaming live on HBO Max.
Team USA survives Spain scare with fourth-quarter surge to
Aliyah Boston, playing in the World Cup for the first time, described the game as having an NCAA Final Four feel,
emphasizing the importance of securing the win regardless of the style. ブレナ・ストークは、「トーナメントに参加しているときは、いつも美しい試合になるわけではない。ただ勝つことだけを目標にすればいい。」と述べた。
The U.S. has a strong history against France, including a 2024 Olympic gold medal game where France nearly upset the Americans. However, the U.S. has maintained its dominance in World Cup play, reaching the final for the fifth straight tournament. Young’s performance in the fourth quarter, including a key steal and layup that extended the lead to 76-64 with 1:42 remaining, highlighted the team’s ability to close out games under pressure.
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コーチカラ・ローソンは、基本的なプレーの重要性を強調し、「小さなことから始めていこう。リバウンドへの集中、オフェンスのガラスを確実に確保すること。守備面では、後半にしっかり守備を向上させた。」と語った。キャティリン・クラークの試合での限定的な役割が議論を呼んだが、チームの適応力とプレッシャー下での実行力は、世界カップでの成功の要因となっている。
The U.S. has shown resilience in every stage of the tournament, from group play to the semifinals. Their victory over Hungary in the quarterfinals demonstrated their ability to dominate when needed, while the tight semifinal against Spain showcased their capacity to overcome challenges. With the final against France on the horizon, the team will look to maintain their focus and continue their run of success in international competition.