09/12/26 11:50:00
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09/12 11:49 CDT France tops host Germany 86-64 to reach women's FIBA World Cup
final against US or Spain
France tops host Germany 86-64 to reach women's FIBA World Cup final against US
or Spain
By CIARAN FAHEY
AP Sports Writer
BERLIN (AP) --- Gabby Williams led France to the final of the women's FIBA
World Cup with an 86-64 win over host Germany on Saturday.
Willams scored 22 points and had five rebounds to put France in touching
distance of the title after a dogged performance from the host, which refused
to give up in front of a partisan crowd at Berlin Arena.
"A tricky game," France coach Jean Aime Toupane said.
Janelle Salan had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Marine
Johanns, who contributed three 3-pointers among her 13 points, slowed the game
down in the final quarter.
"It was really a fight tonight, I think we were ready for that," Johanns said.
It was the first semifinal appearance for both teams since the stage was
introduced in 1986.
France will play Spain or the United States, the four-time defending champion
and tournament favorite, in Sunday's final. Their semifinal was later Saturday.
There was an air of nervous anticipation around the arena before tip-off as
Germany, already further than ever before in its second tournament appearance,
would need another major upset to make the final.
Germany coach Olaf Lange spoke of " German basketball's best day " after the
quarterfinal win over European champion Belgium.
France scored more than 90 points in each of its four games, while Germany
managed that in its last two after recovering impressively since losing its
opening game to Spain by 30 points.
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