France have reached the final of the Women’s Basketball World Cup for the first time after defeating hosts Germany 86-64 in Berlin on Saturday.
Gabby Williams produced a superb all-round performance, scoring 22 points to lead the French side into Sunday’s final.
The Olympic silver medallists maintained their unbeaten record at the tournament, with Williams also contributing five assists and four steals.
France made a strong start to the semi-final, but Germany stayed close and trailed by only two points at the end of the opening quarter.
The French gradually began to establish control as the game progressed.
France opened the second half with nine consecutive points to build a 16-point advantage and put the hosts under pressure.
Germany responded in the final quarter as Alexis Peterson and Emily Bessoir both connected from three-point range.
Their efforts helped the hosts cut the deficit to eight points and raised hopes of a late comeback.
France, however, quickly regained control.
The French scored 12 unanswered points to finish the game and secured a 22-point victory that sent them into their first Women’s Basketball World Cup final.
France could face the United States in Sunday’s decider if the heavily favoured Americans defeat Spain in the other semi-final.
A meeting with the US would give France an opportunity to avenge their narrow defeat in the women’s Olympic final in Paris in 2024.
The United States are the dominant force in the competition, having won 11 world titles and entered the semi-final on a 34-game winning streak at the World Cup.
Germany’s impressive campaign ends with their first semi-final appearance as a unified nation.
East Germany had previously reached the last four in 1967, but Saturday’s match marked the first time the current German team had reached a World Cup semi-final.
France will now prepare for Sunday’s final in Berlin as they chase a historic first World Cup title.
