US women advance to FIBA World Cup final, face France for title

BERLIN — Breanna Stewart contributed 16 points and Kahleah Copper added 13 as the United States defeated Spain 76‑66 on Saturday to advance to the FIBA Women’s World Cup final. The Americans will meet France in Sunday’s championship game, a rematch of the 2024 Paris Olympics gold‑medal contest that the U.S. won by a single point. Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces finished with 12 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Her teammate Chelsea Gray scored five points, grabbed two rebounds and dished two assists after a hard foul sent her to the bench following her first basket. The victory extends the United States’ World Cup winning streak to 35 games, dating back to a semifinal loss to Russia in 2006. One more triumph would give the Americans a fifth consecutive tournament title, tying the Soviet Union’s record for the most consecutive championships. After breezing through their first two games, the U.S. struggled offensively against Spain. The contest was tied at 58 to begin the fourth quarter before the Americans rattled off 12 of the first 14 points to seize a 70‑60 advantage with 5:20 remaining. Spain managed only eight points the rest of the way. The United States spent considerable time at the foul line, converting 27 of 35 free‑throw attempts. It marked the first World Cup meeting between the teams since the U.S. beat Spain for gold in 2014, a tournament in which Stewart made her national‑team debut. Spain opened strongly, nailing nine of the game’s first ten points and creating the largest deficit the Americans have faced in this competition (16‑9). The U.S. could not extend its lead much in the second quarter as Spain’s physical defense provoked numerous fouls; the Americans attempted 27 free throws in the first half, making 19, while taking just 26 field‑goal shots overall. At halftime, the U.S. led 39‑36. In the other semifinal, France defeated Germany 86‑64. Gabby Williams led France with 22 points and five rebounds. Janelle Salaün recorded a double‑double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Marine Johannès contributed three three‑pointers among her 13 points, helping to slow the game in the final period.