United States Celebrates World Title Against France

The United States women's basketball team clinched their 12th World Championship title this Sunday, and their fifth in a row, by defeating France 97-79 in the final. A dominant second-half performance proved to be the key to the American victory.

Despite a strong start from the French squad, who were making their first appearance in a World Championship final and aiming to become only the fifth nation to claim the title, the USA's superiority shone through after halftime. France even held a lead at the end of the first quarter (20-17) and maintained a narrow two-point advantage at the break (45-43).

However, in a rematch of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games final, the Americans were relentless in the third quarter, building a commanding 20-point lead (75-55) that effectively sealed the outcome of the game. From that point on, they comfortably managed the score until the final buzzer.

Breanna Stewart was the standout player of the match, recording a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. She was ably supported by Jackie Young (18 points), Kahleah Copper (15), Chelsea Gray (12), and Caitlin Clark (12), all of whom scored in double figures.

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For France, the efforts of Dominique Malonga (21 points) and Gabby Williams (20) ultimately proved insufficient, as their teammates were unable to provide the necessary support to counter the formidable American force.

In the bronze medal match, Spain, finalists in 2014, secured third place for the third time in their history with a convincing 81-58 victory over host nation Germany.

With this latest triumph, the United States continues to lead the World Championship winners' ranking with 12 trophies, followed by the former Soviet Union with six. Brazil and Australia are distant contenders, each with one title, making them the only two nations to break the American-Soviet dominance.