BRNO (Czechia) - If there is a familiar feel to the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2025 Final, that's because this will be the third time that USA and Australia have contested the title game in four editions of the famous competition.
With 27 straight wins and a 10th consecutive Final lying in wait, few would back against USA continuing their dominance and retaining their coveted crown.
Yet Australia are unlikely to be pushovers - at least if their can play anywhere near the outstanding level of performance they managed in the Semi-Final with Canada.
The Gems also do know how it feels to be winners at the event - even if it was back in 1993. Could they now write a similarly glorious chapter in their history 32 years later?
Key matchup
Saniyah Hall vs Zara Russell
Looking more like the TISSOT MVP in waiting, Saniyah Hall really will take some stopping. She has had a truly sensational tournament and while USA have so many other weapons, developing a strategy to at least slow her down will be a priority for the Gems. She has the scoring touch, height and athleticism to cause a major headache.
Because of the way Australia play, they will probably end up mixing and matching that seriously tough defensive assignment. But one candidate to disrupt Hall's rhythm and influence could be Zara Russell. Arguably an unsung hero and certainly not the standout star like Hall, she is still seriously vital and would also relish the challenge.
X-factors
The 48 bench points that Australia posted against Canada in the Semi-Finals was sensational and pointed them in the direction of this year's silverware.
If they want to stay in the game, compete, push USA to the wire and even spring a surprise, then this kind of mammoth team effort probably needs to be repeated.
Stats don't lie
USA have been stats leaders in so many different categories - especially related to scoring, but an overlooked stat has been their steals per game which is also impressive at 17.3 and the best of any team. That points to the Australian guards in particular having to stand up to the ball pressure and quick hands.
Meanwhile Australia have shot the ball really well from long-range and their 3-point conversation rate of 40.3% is the second best of the tournament. USA are not too far behind at 35%, but it will still show the Gems that they do at least have an edge in a key area.
Past matchups
The last time the teams met in the Final was in Debrecen, Hungary at the 2021 edition, with Caitlin Clark named MVP as USA took a convincing 70-52 triumph.
Two years earlier in Bangkok, Thailand it was a much tighter affair as USA dug out a nerve-shredding 74-70 win, with Paige Bueckers shining as MVP of the competition.
The first time the two teams met in the title game was in Natal, Brazil back in 1997. USA won that matchup 78-74 in another thriller that involved legends like Lauren Jackson and Tamika Catchings.
Who will win?
FIBA