France knows exactly what they’re chasing in the FIBA Women’s World Cup final, with a daunting Team USA squad chasing a piece of history packed with WNBA All-Stars. However, if one teammate of Gabby Williams is to be believed, what France is bringing in its mindset could be dangerous for the Americans.
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During a press conference following the French team’s win over Germany in the semi-finals, Williams’ teammate and partner, Marine Johannes, delivered a statement showing that she doesn’t believe the pressure is on France.
“If I’m honest, we have nothing to lose,” Johannes said at the post-game press conference. “We actually know they’re a great team. They won every World Cup for years and years. They are really talented. We all know that. We are playing with these players all season in the W, we know how good they are… It’s one game. Nothing to lose. We are going to play hard, and we’ll see what happens.”
It’s important to understand the context of this game for France. Their appearance guaranteed the team a medal, a first for the program since the inaugural World Cup in 1953. Like the Americans, the French enter the final undefeated, and perhaps with a stronger showing. As a team, the French have outscored their opponents by an average of 35.6 points per game and, according to ESPN, have the best offense of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Team USA nearly faced an upset against an Italian team, which forced them into the closest game the Americans have played in years. Though they escaped with a 55-52 win, the game showed the tournament that the Americans are vulnerable.
Against Spain, they trailed till 1:51 minutes left in the first quarter. They shot just under 40% from the field, and it showed because both teams were head-to-head at the end of the third quarter at 58, with Team USA unable to create any real separation until they heated up in the fourth.
Part of this is because they are missing international stalwarts A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum, who are sitting out the tournament due to injuries. Meanwhile, Breanna Stewart acknowledged that the team has a chance to make history, and that they need to focus to be able to win.
“My message to the team is, this is our standard here with Team USA, and it’s about us,” she said after the win against Spain in the semifinals. “Everything that we do is going to dictate what happens in tomorrow’s game, and making sure that that’s the main focus as we continue to look inward. There’s going to be a ton of emotions in this game, and it’s going to be the team that really kind of regulates that and handles that best that will have the advantage. … My team, we’re gonna be locked in.”
Even then, France possesses a big advantage in experience. During the 2024 Paris Olympics, the hosts made it all the way to the finals against the US, but lost heartbreakingly when Gabby Williams’ three-point attempt to send the game to overtime was ruled a two instead, denying France the overtime chance. Now, with eight of the 12 players from that roster returning for this tournament, the team has built chemistry and a system that works.
On top of that, Gabby Williams has emerged as one of this tournament’s best players. She currently sits third in points per game with 18.4 and remains one of the best perimeter defenders in the world, averaging the second-highest steals per game in the tournament with 2.8.
Against Germany, she put up 22 points, five rebounds, five assists, and four steals, leading the team, while Johannes added 13 points and three three-pointers.
With France already making history by making it to this stage, one more win stands between Gabby Williams and Co. and the championship. Now, it’s clear that they believe they have nothing to lose and will play their hardest basketball yet.