France Breaks Through to World Cup Semifinals
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France joins the U.S., Spain, and Germany in the final four as the French squad pursues its first World Cup medal since the 1953 inaugural tournament.
France has advanced to the women’s FIBA World Cup semifinals for the first time, defeating China 90-61 in a quarterfinal match in Berlin, as Sportsnet first reported. The victory puts the Olympic finalists in position to compete for their first World Cup medal since the inaugural tournament in 1953.
France dominated the game behind 15-point performances from Marine Johannès and Janelle Salaün, while Gabby Williams added 14 points. Sportsnet reports that France has been a high-scoring force throughout the tournament, outscoring its first four opponents by a total of 156 points and setting a tournament record with 22 three-pointers in a single game on Monday. The French defense also neutralized China's 19-year-old, 7-foot-3 center Zhang Ziyu, who finished the game with seven points and eight rebounds.
While France emerges as a primary challenger, the United States remains the dominant force. The four-time defending champions routed Hungary 108-56 in the opening quarterfinal, led by Napheesa Collier's 19 points. Sportsnet notes that the U.S. has maintained a 34-game winning streak in the tournament, dating back to a semifinal loss to Russia in 2006.
France will face Germany on Saturday. Germany reached the semifinals for the first time after upsetting Belgium 93-74, led by Leonie Fiebich's 17 points and 10 rebounds. The other semifinal matchup will feature the United States against Spain, who defeated Australia 89-66 behind 16 points from Megan Gustafson.