USA Women's Basketball Reaches 5th Straight World Cup Final
Team USA survived a fierce battle with Spain to reach their fifth consecutive World Cup final, setting up a thrilling rematch with France. The defending champions proved their championship mettle when it mattered most.
The United States women's basketball team is headed back to the championship game after defeating Spain 76-66 in a nail-biting semifinal at the World Cup in Berlin.
Spain came out swinging and led by nine points early in the game. The Americans found themselves in unfamiliar territory, tied 58-58 heading into the final quarter against a Spanish team that refused to back down.
That's when the defending champions showed why they've won four straight World Cup titles. Breanna Stewart scored 16 points to lead the comeback, while Kahleah Copper added 13 and Jackie Young contributed 12 as the Americans pulled away in the fourth quarter.
The defensive turnaround made all the difference. Spain scored only eight points in the final period as Team USA locked in on every possession, turning stops into points on the other end.
"When you're in a tournament like this, it doesn't always have to be pretty," said Aliyah Boston, playing in her first World Cup. "You just have to come out with the win."
Spain's María Conde and Iyana Martín each scored 17 points and kept their team competitive throughout, holding the American squad to just 40% shooting. The Spanish defense was so effective that even rising star Caitlin Clark managed just one point.
The Bright Side
This victory extends Team USA's remarkable World Cup winning streak to 35 consecutive games. They haven't lost at this tournament since 2006, a testament to the program's sustained excellence and ability to develop new generations of champions.
Sunday's final offers something special for basketball fans worldwide. The Americans will face France in a rematch of the 2024 Olympic gold medal game, which came down to a single point when France's Gabby Williams stepped on the three-point line on a potential game-tying buzzer beater.
Coach Kara Lawson praised her team's defensive precision in crunch time, noting how every player contributed energy and focus when their number was called.
Team USA showed that champions aren't defined by perfect performances but by their ability to find a way to win when tested.
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This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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