USA edge Spain to book Women’s Basketball World Cup final against France

The United States held off a determined Spanish challenge to win 76-66 and earn a place in the Women’s Basketball World Cup final in Berlin. Spain rallied to tie the game 58-58 at the end of the third quarter, but the defending champions surged early in the fourth with a 12-2 run to reclaim control. Breanna Stewart finished with 16 points and Kahleah Copper added 13 as the Americans closed out the victory.

Spain started strongly and led by eight in the first quarter, forcing the United States to regroup through the middle quarters. Despite periods of slippage in intensity that allowed Spain back into the contest, the experience of the 11-time champions proved decisive in the closing period. Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark struggled under pressure from the Spanish defence, scoring one point and committing two turnovers.

Across the earlier semifinal, France progressed to its first World Cup final by defeating host nation Germany 86-64. Gabby Williams starred for the Olympic silver medallists with 22 points, five assists and four steals, helping keep France unbeaten in the tournament. The hosts had the crowd behind them early and stayed close through the opening period, but France pulled away with a sustained run in the second half and sealed the win with a late 12-0 burst.

Sunday’s final will be a repeat of the 2024 Paris Olympic gold-medal game, which the United States won by a single point. France players and staff signalled they will not be intimidated by that recent history and said they intend to compete for the title in Berlin. The matchup will pit the USA’s long-running dominance — their win streak at the tournament now stands at 35 matches dating back to a 2006 semifinal loss — against France’s best-ever World Cup finish.