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BERLIN — France made history on Saturday evening by securing a place in the final of the women's basketball World Cup for the first time, delivering a commanding 86-64 semi-final victory over Germany. The resounding 22-point triumph ensures that the French squad maintains its unblemished record in the tournament as they advance to Sunday’s highly anticipated championship decider in the German capital.
Leading the charge for the French national team was forward Gabby Williams, who produced a sensational all-around display to headline the semi-final clash. The United States-born standout led all players on the court with a game-high 22 points, serving as the focal point of France's attack while dictating terms against a resilient German side.
Beyond her prolific scoring output, Williams showcased her comprehensive playmaking and defensive prowess throughout the contest. She finished as the game's top playmaker with five assists and disrupted Germany's offensive schemes repeatedly, recording four steals to lead all players in defensive takeaways. Her relentless activity on both ends of the floor kept the French team firmly in control during crucial stretches.
Following the milestone victory, Williams spoke openly about the focused mentality driving her performances on the international stage. Describing herself as a player "on a mission," the French forward underscored her commitment to seizing the moment in post-match comments to broadcaster Bein Sports.
"I just want to give it my all," Williams explained after guiding her squad into the record books. "You never know when you'll get an opportunity like this. You don't know if it'll be the last one. So, I'm just going to give everything."
The semi-final contest began with an energetic burst from France, who came out of the starting blocks looking to establish early dominance. However, the host nation refused to be easily overwhelmed, staying closely on France's heels throughout a fiercely contested opening period that ended with the French holding a narrow two-point edge at the first break.
The decisive shift in momentum arrived immediately following the halftime interval, as the superior depth and execution of the French squad began to take a heavy toll. France opened the second half with a blistering 9-0 scoring run, quickly expanding their advantage to a commanding 16 points and putting Germany under immense pressure.
Germany attempted a spirited fourth-quarter comeback to keep their tournament hopes alive in front of their home supporters. Sharpshooters Alexis Peterson and Emily Bessoir stepped up to sink crucial three-pointers, allowing the German team to trim the deficit to just nine points and temporarily move back within striking distance.
Any hopes of a German turnaround were swiftly extinguished by a ruthless French response. Rather than allowing the momentum to slip, France elevated their defensive intensity and executed flawlessly in transition, unleashing a devastating 12-0 run to close out the match and emphatically seal their progression to a maiden World Cup final.
Despite the semi-final exit, Germany's campaign in Berlin marked a landmark achievement in the country's basketball history. Entering the tournament as underdogs, the German side earned their place in the final four after a stunning quarter-final victory over reigning European champions Belgium, securing their first semi-final appearance as a unified nation since East Germany reached the final four back in 1967.
For France, Saturday's victory serves as another major milestone in a remarkable run of international form. Having entered the World Cup as reigning Olympic silver medalists, the French team has navigated the tournament without suffering a single defeat, carrying pristine momentum into the gold medal match.
The victory sets up a potential blockbuster rematch for France on Sunday, with the team on track to face the United States for the global crown. A championship meeting against the Americans would present France with an immediate opportunity to seek revenge for their agonizing one-point loss in the Olympic final at the Paris 2024 Games.
Securing the world title will require overcoming one of the most formidable forces in international sport if the heavily favoured United States squad manages to defeat Spain in the other semi-final on Saturday. The 11-time World Cup champion Americans entered the weekend riding an extraordinary 34-game winning streak in the tournament, a dominant run that stretches back to their shock semi-final loss against Russia in 2006.
With a place in their first-ever World Cup decider safely secured, the French squad now stands just 40 minutes away from international basketball glory. Having navigated past Germany's challenge with authority, France will prepare for Sunday's final in Berlin ready to leave everything on the hardwood in pursuit of the world championship trophy.
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