BRNO (Czechia) - Spain will have to serve up a major slice of history if they want to be crowned FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 champions and put an end to USA's dominance.
The good news is that like the holders, they are also yet to taste defeat in Brno and so something has to give when both nations do battle in the biggest game of the tournament.
Spain would become only the third ever country to take the U17 Women's crown if they are successful, while USA have their eyes fixed firmly on the prize once again. A successful defense of their silverware would make it seven titles in eight editions.
Here's everything you need to know about the big matchup.
Key Matchup
With Ivanna Wilson Manyacka looking like an MVP in waiting for USA, who's going to be tasked with slowing her down?
Even if she is shackled, there is no guarantee that Spain will be successful. Nevertheless, she has been mostly ruthless and dominant for USA, so it's an offensive tap that needs to be turned off.
But who will take that all-important assignment? There's a chance that Spain could share it around of course - maybe even a likelihood. By could it be the length and athleticism of Trinity Ezeanatogu that makes the difference?
Stats Don't Lie
Even if USA are big favorites like always, there are a lot of numbers that are broadly similar. Each team is shooting under 30 percent from downtown, with Spain also struggling from the free-throw line at 58 percent.
The brighter news is that they match their opponents in steals. They also get more offensive rebounds than USA with 28.7 against 26.0. The big advantage for USA is 52 points per outing in the paint, with just 36.3 for Spain.
The Killer Questions
For Spain to get close and realize a fairytale, can they squeeze USA's ball handlers sufficiently to get upwards of 18 turnovers and prosper from scores in the open floor, as they did in crunch time against Australia in the Semi-Final?
You sense that if they can disrupt USA with their intense and swarming defense, their chances of success will increase greatly. But they will have to do a lot of things and one other is box out for their lives.
The question for USA remains around the connections they have on court and moving the ball like players of this level and talent should. When it is not flowing and not being shared efficiently it can hurt them. Can they really stretch and work the Spanish defense with more teamwork offensively?
Game History
The first meeting came in Amsterdam in 2012 when USA eased past Spain 75-62, with Diamond DeShields named MVP of the competition.
The second Final in 2014 was an epic. Arguably the best the competition has ever witnessed. Angela Salvadores famously took MVP after a mesmerizing 40 points in a heart-breaking 77-75 defeat.
Lauren Cox was amazing for USA with a double-double of 20 points and 12 boards, as well as 9 blocks which remains a game-high record.
The last time they met in a Final was in 2022 in Debrecen, with USA claiming a comfortable 82-64 triumph. JuJu Watkins was named MVP.
FIBA