Breanna Stewart was a member of the U.S. Olympic squad that edged France by a single point in Paris two years ago.
Team captain Breanna Stewart believes that past victory has no bearing on Sunday’s rematch for the FIBA Women’s World Cup title.
Stewart remarked after the United States defeated Spain 76‑66 in the semifinals, “This is a completely new game, and everyone has their own motivations. I will keep telling the team to turn the page on everything. This one game is about winning the gold medal in Berlin; that’s our sole focus.”
It’s easy for Stewart to say that given that more than half of the current World Cup roster didn’t compete in the Olympics. Players like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers are chasing their first national‑team title, while Stewart already owns three World Cup championships dating back to her 2014 debut.
Kahleah Copper played a key role in the United States’ victory over France two years ago, contributing 12 points.
“They’re a different team, we’re a different team,” Copper said. “Two great squads are going to clash head‑to‑head.”
The Americans have appeared far from the dominant force that has recorded 35 straight wins and four consecutive World Cup titles. Their narrowest margin in pool play came against Italy, a three‑point victory — the closest any opponent has gotten to the U.S. in group play in half a century. The ten‑point win over Spain marked the tightest semifinal during this streak, and the U.S. has averaged a 26‑point margin in its last four medal‑round games.
“It’s all about us,” Stewart said. “Everything we do will shape tomorrow’s game, so we must stay focused inward. Whether it’s lifting a teammate, sharing a high‑five, or encouraging the next shot, emotions will run high. The team that manages those feelings best will gain the advantage.”
French players are also minimizing the importance of the Olympic encounter.
“That was two years ago,” Janelle Salaün said of the loss. “Different personnel were involved then; now we are concentrating solely on tomorrow and the present moment.”
Marine Johannes acknowledges the formidable challenge facing France.
“Honestly, we have nothing to lose,” Johannes said. “We respect their excellence — they’ve captured every World Cup for years — and we face them regularly in the WNBA. Knowing their quality, we’ll treat this as a single game, play hard, and see what unfolds.”
Regardless of the outcome on Sunday, France is poised to achieve its best ever World Cup finish. The nation has not medaled since the inaugural tournament in 1953, when it placed third in the final round.
“It means a great deal,” said France coach Jean‑Aimé Toupane after the semifinal win over Germany. “This is the first time we’ve reached this stage, and you can see how French basketball is advancing worldwide.”
A French gold‑medal victory would reshape the sport’s landscape. The United States has lost only once in a World Cup final — to the Soviet Union in 1983 — and has gone 8‑0 since.
“We didn’t come this far for nothing — we’re here to win,” said France’s Leila Lacan. “We won’t settle for silver; we’re going after gold.”