The USA women’s basketball team lived up to their role as favourites and won their eleventh World Cup gold medal. Hosts Australia also finished the tournament with a medal.
The record winners from the USA beat China 83-61 in the Sydney final and triumphed for the fourth time in a row. This makes it 30 games without defeat for the Olympic champions at World Championships.
After the demonstration in the semi-finals against the overtaxed Canadians (83:43), the US team around star player Breanna Stewart only had slight problems with China in the Superdome at the beginning. After the break, Kelsey Plum provided the first 20-point lead (63:43/29th minute), early on the defending champions around top scorer A’ja Wilson (19 points) made things clear. Plum scored 17 points.
Most World Cup appearances: Jackson sets record
Before the final, Australia had secured bronze with a 95-65 win over Canada in the small final. Lauren Jackson, who set the record of Brazilian Janeth dos Santos Arcain with her 43rd World Cup appearance, was the best scorer for the hosts with 30 points. After the game, the 41-year-old ended her career in the Opals jersey.
