The women’s French and American national team, on an even more generational run than the dream of their male counterparts, may just be the new USA versus Spain rivalry. You know, when Kobe Bryant was running through teammate Pau Gasol’s chest.
Back in the Paris 2024 Olympic gold medal game, when the USA beat France, in both the women’s and men’s finals, much was made of a valiant Victor Wembanyama against the American side. And it should have been. Wemby will be back to claim gold (perhaps in Los Angeles), just like he will be, the NBA Finals, to catch up with Larry O’Brien. New York, or the USA, in his way, be damned.
Yet don’t forget just how far Frenchwoman Gabby Williams took the USA women’s team to the brink.
The then former WNBA player had home country court advantage, 19 points, and the most dominant national team in basketball history on the ropes. Following that game, Gabby also grabbed a newly minted contract with the Seattle Storm. Playing alongside the likes of Skylar Diggins and Madame President Nneka Ogwumike.
Now, the Golden State Valkyries leader is an all-star and one of the greatest success stories of the year in the sport. In this final she had 20 points, to go along with an 18.7-point average, seven assists and three rebounds and steals, but the contest wasn’t as close. America bested France 97-79, to the tune of a blowout.
The showdown was a shakedown and stung, just like the hurt of the gold medal game in ’24 when a clutch shot that could have tied the game from downtown was just inside the line for two.
Just wait until LA in ’28.
Current Seattle star Dominique Malonga led France with 21 points and six rebounds, but even she wasn’t big enough to outlast the best. Team USA were balanced across the board.
New York Liberty big Breanna Stewart had 22 points as she continues to become one of the most decorated stars across the game. Las Vegas Aces rival Jackie Young dealt 18 points of her own. No stranger to a final, club or country, Kahleah Copper won again with 15. And Chelsea Gray and Caitlin Clark both had 12.
What really resonated, mind you, were the buddying up of Clark and former college rival Angel Reese. The new face of the WNBA in its 30th anniversary and the new Atlanta Dream star, who is breaking records left, right and centre this campaign, have become the women’s game’s Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, from the college to the pros. Yet its mostly media made.
“Don’t try to do that”, Clark told one reporter who asked if she and Angel were friends now.
“We’ve always been friends”, Caitlin reaffirmed regarding her on-court club competition. From the Elite Eight to now, the USA’s fifth-straight FIBA gold. Breaking down all sorts of barrier in Berlin, it’s beautiful to see the on-court camaraderie for their country.
And when they get down between the 94-feet lines of the WNBA’s continued three-decade celebration, returning this week, the reunion and rivalry will be different.
Once forged in fire, now bonded in sisterhood.
Yet when the ball goes back up, you know it’s back on!
Together, and for each other, they wouldn’t have it any other way.
For now, what they’ve helped do for Team USA is nothing short of history, and their story is a perfect page part of it.
China, the Czech Republic, and a close defensive checkmate with Italy (55-52) in the group stages led to a Spanish semis showdown. All before this final frame with France painted the picture of a 12th World Cup crown for the queen of the national team circuit.
They say basketball never stops, but it’s really the women’s world that has no quit in it.
Now after eight straight wonders in Olympic basketball, it’s time for Team USA to close in on ten come the end of the decade in the US.
A perfect ending to HERstory, remade in Hollywood.
