BERLIN (Germany) - USA are celebrating another FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup crown after two super shows from Breanna Stewart and Jackie Young helped them take a 97-79 win against fellow favorites France. In one of the most highly anticipated title games of the modern era, it had looked like France might make history with a first ever title, getting onto the front foot early and amassing a 14-point lead at the beginning of the second quarter.
But by the break, the USA had cut the gap to 45-43 after a last-second triple from Caitlin Clark. That ensured it was the narrowest first-half lead recorded in competition history. Setting the scene perfectly for when the teams returned, the USA continued their eye-catching work. They put their foot on the gas and took control to extend their stunning legacy in the competition.
Breanna Stewart was once again the heart and soul of the team with a monumental double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds for a performance efficiency valuation of 30.
Jackie Young also provided an extra boost on the offensive end with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.
France’s defense cracked in the second quarter as the USA scored 26 points, then added 30 more in the third.
This USA team played its best basketball in the most important moment of the tournament. Winning culture, gold DNA, mental toughness - call it whatever you wish. They are still the No. 1 team in the world and extended their winning streak in the competition to 36 games.
Stewart explains need to maintain the golden standard
Speaking after picking up her TISSOT MVP award and becoming the first player to ever achieve that feat, Stewart gave an insight into her own mentality and also that of the team.
"I think that we were ready. We were ready for that challenge. We were locked in," explained Stewart.
"Credit to France, they are a really tough team. I think my message to the team before the game was like, 'we are the standard'. USA basketball has continued to go for gold for how ever many times consecutively and it's an insane stat and we want to continue to build on that standard."
"I am really happy that we let the rest of the world know that our goal is always gold. I pride myself being on being consistently great and that is showing up in the big moments and the small moments - and all the moments in between." She continued: "I believe that I always have a chance to win no matter what happens in the game and I hope that rubs off on my teammates "At the same time, this is my fourth World Cup, which is nuts. I know what it takes to win at this level. I know the highs and lows and continue to ride through it."
Debutante Clark pays tribute to Stewie
After some timely interventions, it proved to be a nice cameo from Caitlin Clark and she took her hat off to Stewart for the role she played in helping to make it a winning World Cup debut.
"Stewie's been a tremendous leader through this whole process for us," stressed Clark.
"Even after we had that close game with Italy, she was somebody that was really vocal in the locker room about, don't be flustered by this. This is normal for a World Cup. You're going to have to kind of get it out of the mud at some points. It's not always going to be pretty.”
"Stewie's a winner. That's all she is. All she ever does is win. She's been in so many of these moments, and when you have somebody like that on your team, it's just a really comforting thing."
Clark added: "To be able to share this with a lot of people that have won gold medals before is cool. And then, obviously, with a lot of my teammates, this is our first time playing on senior national team level in a tournament. This is really cool, too."
Bueckers also hails influence of MVP Stewie
Paige Bueckers also scooped her first senior gold with USA and was also quick to praise Stewie too.
“Stewie is amazing," said the playmaker.
"You see it from a distance how much of a winner she is. But to be up close and personal and to see it on an everyday basis, just her work ethic, who she is as a human, she is as a leader, and just seeing how she impacts the game of basketball on both ends of the floor, the little stuff that she does."
"True basketball players know how amazing she is and why she's won at every single level and why she's just a complete winner. To see it up close and personal, it was definitely eye opening.”
Bueckers continued: “It was super special to just to be a part of this, to be a part of a tournament that is just a great level of competition. Teams playing for the country, representing something so much bigger than themselves, and to do it with such an amazing group of women and amazing coaching staff and to represent the United States and the whole program, it's a dream come true.” FIBA