Daily News 19

Tag: Berlin

  • FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026: USA’s Paige Bueckers on Overcoming Historic Italian Challenge: “We find ways to win”

    FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026: USA’s Paige Bueckers on Overcoming Historic Italian Challenge: “We find ways to win”

    Italy’s defense, energized by a partisan crowd in Berlin, held the USA to the program’s lowest-ever shooting percentage from the floor at 29 percent, marking the squad’s worst World Cup field-goal performance at 28.6 percent. The three-point victory represented the closest margin for the Americans since a narrow win over Australia in 2010, and the first single-digit triumph since 1979.

    Lawson Emphasizes Resilience After Narrow Escape

    Addressing media including Olympics.com, head coach Kara Lawson framed the sluggish offensive showing as a valuable lesson rather than a crisis.

    “(The odds) say we won’t shoot 29% in the paint again,”

    Lawson reflected, underscoring the statistical anomaly of the performance.

    “My takeaway is that even if we do, we have enough to win; we’re tough enough to win either way.

    You have to be honest with yourself as an individual and as a team when you have a performance that is below your level. I know our history is so accomplished at our federation; I know all the expectation is for us to win. But it is hard to win a World Cup.

    You have to be able to win in different ways because every team plays stylistically different. Italy played with great force and passion, and controlled the game for large parts.

    The World Cup is supposed to be challenging, and we’re supposed to have moments where we’re not at our best. The teams that can persevere and have a resilient mindset are the ones that are able to win. That’s what makes it so satisfying at the end.

    Every game is information for us. Every time you get exposed in certain ways, you can look back and improve. We’ll grow from it.”

    Tournament Outlook Shifts Toward Adaptability

    The victory, while unconvincing on the stat sheet, reinforces a championship trait: finding ways to win when the primary game plan falters. Italy’s physical, high-pressure approach disrupted the USA’s rhythm for extended stretches, forcing the defending champions to rely on defensive intensity and clutch execution down the stretch. Lawson’s message signals a pivot from style points to substance, positioning resilience as the defining metric for the remainder of the World Cup campaign.

  • Quarterfinal Preview: Can France Maintain Form Against China?

    Quarterfinal Preview: Can France Maintain Form Against China?

    France Faces China in FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Quarter-Finals

    BERLIN — France aims to validate its status as tournament favorites when it takes on China in Thursday’s FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Quarter-Finals. The winner advances to Saturday’s Semi-Finals.

    Historical Context

    France has never secured a top-four finish since the inaugural edition in 1953, and this quarterfinal represents a chance to end that decades-long drought. China, meanwhile, sits two victories away from replicating its run to the title game at the 2022 World Cup in Sydney.

    Key Matchup: Malonga vs. Xu Han

    A pivotal individual battle looms in the paint. Rising star Dominique Malonga, still only 20 years old, may be tasked with containing China’s marquee center Xu Han. Both players are dominant physical presences who have heavily influenced their teams’ progress.

    Han has powered China to this stage with four consecutive double-doubles. Malonga ranks among France’s top three players in efficiency, scoring, rebounding, steals, and blocks despite her youth.

    Statistical Breakdown

    France enters with a significant offensive advantage, averaging 101.7 points per game compared to China’s 68.7 — a 33-point gap. The French are also devastating in transition, scoring 32 points per game off opponent turnovers, while China averages just seven points off turnovers.

    China holds slight statistical edges in rebounding and points in the paint, but those may not be enough to offset France’s overall firepower.

    Tempo and Tactical Questions

    China demonstrated an ability to play at a faster pace when it outlasted Puerto Rico in the previous round. However, controlling tempo will be critical. A slower game increases China’s upset chances, while a “run and gun” scenario heavily favors France.

    France has rolled through all three group-stage opponents. The quarterfinal presents its sternest test yet: maintaining defensive intensity and offensive fluidity both inside and on the perimeter.

    Recent Head-to-Head History

    This is a rematch of the 2022 World Cup Quarter-Finals in Sydney, where China prevailed 85-71 behind a near double-double from Xu Han (13 points, 9 rebounds).

    Since that meeting, the teams clashed once more at the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in 2024. France exacted revenge with a dominant 82-50 victory.