Four teams remain in FIBA Women's World Cup; semifinal preview and picks
The FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup semifinals feature France vs Germany and the United States vs Spain. Germany upset Belgium to advance, while France has dominated all opponents. The article provides predictions for both games.
France enters the semifinal with a flawless tournament record, having won every game by double digits behind stifling defense and elite three-point shooting—they connect at a 45.3 percent clip on a tournament-high 34.5 attempts per game. Germany arrives as a surprise semifinalist after upsetting Belgium in the quarterfinals, powered by a balanced attack from Leonie Fiebich and Nyara Sabally, though they were blown out by Spain earlier in group play.
The United States boasts extraordinary depth, with nine players averaging at least six points per game, including WNBA standouts Breanna Stewart, Paige Bueckers, and Caitlin Clark. Spain counters with youthful energy, led by 20-year-old Iyana Martin and WNBA rookie Awa Fam, though their stunning group-stage loss to Mali reveals occasional inconsistency.
The semifinals highlight women's basketball's expanding global competitiveness, with European programs like France and Germany challenging American supremacy. Germany's upset run and Spain's young stars may encourage broader international investment in women's basketball development. The tournament's visibility could boost WNBA interest worldwide, as players like Fam and Martin demonstrate elite talent now emerges beyond traditional powerhouses. However, the United States' overwhelming depth suggests true competitive balance at the top remains a work in progress.