And in the end, it’s still the Americans who win. The female version of Team USA maintains its hegemony over world basketball by winning another World Cup. They won their final against China (83-61) at the Sydney Superdome in Australia.
The Chinese, who had taken out the French in the quarter-finals (85-71), then the Australians on their floor in the next round (61-59), believed they could hold the shock against the armada opposite. At the break, Yueru Li (19 points) and his comrades were only ten points behind.
But the Americans, carried by A’Ja Wilson (19 points), put a boost in the third quarter and began to unwind their game against the outdated Chinese. And pushed to the fault since the Americans intercepted 13 balls and caused 19 ball losses in front.
This final victory confirms the absolute domination of this team, however deprived of Brittney Griner, in this competition. They emerged undefeated from their group stage with five victories, including one already against China, with an average difference… of 46 points. The Americans then crushed Serbia (88-55) then pulverized Canada (83-43) in the semi-finals. After 2010, 2014, 2018, this is their fourth world crown in a row.
A’Ja Wilson collects MVP titles
Third best scorer of this World Cup with 17 points on average, A’Ja Wilson was logically elected MVP. This new trophy comes to close an exceptional year for her who had already won the WNBA MVP title a few weeks ago, in addition to that of defender of the year, before winning the title with the Aces!
In the best five of this world, we find her teammate Breanna Stewart, the silver medalist Xu Han (China), the bronze medalist Steph Talbot (Australia) and the semi-finalist Bridget Carleton (Canada).
No French women therefore, who had qualified after a fourth place in the pool before falling to China, the second best nation in the world. According to the symbolic classification of the competition, France finished in seventh place among the twelve nations in the running. This does not detract from the fine performances of Gabby Williams who averaged 16 points.
FIBA Photo
