Team USA is set to compete against Spain in the semifinals of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup on Saturday, September 12, at the Berlin Arena in Berlin, Germany. The United States enters this match with an impressive record, having achieved four straight World Cup gold medals and maintained an undefeated streak in 34 consecutive tournament games. This will mark Team USA’s 11th semifinal appearance in a row, continuing a winning tradition that spans two decades since their last semifinal defeat in 2006 to Russia.
The current starting lineup for Team USA features Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, Jackie Young, Kahleah Copper, and Chelsea Gray. Key contributors off the bench include Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark, and Angel Reese. On the Spanish side, center Megan DiLeo—known for her college career at Iowa and player of the year honors—is unfazed by Clark’s presence as a substitute, emphasizing that regardless of who enters the game, Team USA’s depth and talent make them formidable. DiLeo stressed the importance of Spain preparing themselves defensively and offensively for all the talented players on Team USA.
Napheesa Collier leads the American team in scoring with an average of 10.3 points per game, while Angel Reese pulls down six rebounds per contest and Caitlin Clark leads in assists, dishing out seven per game. Spain’s top performers include Iyana Martín, who averages 16.5 points, and Awa Fam, contributing 11.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.
The USA vs. Spain semifinal tips off at 2 p.m. Eastern Time (11 a.m. Pacific) at the Berlin Arena. TNT holds exclusive rights for English-language coverage in the U.S., with all games streaming live on HBO Max. The semifinal game will be broadcast on TBS, truTV, and HBO Max. The tournament concludes with the third-place match and the championship final on Sunday, September 13, available on TNT, truTV, and HBO Max.
The Team USA roster includes:
- Paige Bueckers (Guard, 24, Dallas Wings)
- Sonia Citron (Guard, 22, Washington Mystics)
- Rhyne Howard (Small Forward, 25, Atlanta Dream)
- Kahleah Copper (Guard/Forward, 32, Phoenix Mercury)
- Chelsea Gray (Guard, 33, Las Vegas Aces)
- Kiki Iriafen (Power Forward, 23, Washington Mystics)
- Breanna Stewart (Power Forward, 32, New York Liberty)
- Napheesa Collier (Small Forward, 29, Minnesota Lynx)
- Caitlin Clark (Guard, 24, Indiana Fever)
- Jackie Young (Guard, 28, Las Vegas Aces)
- Aliyah Boston (Center, 24, Indiana Fever)
- Angel Reese (Power Forward, 24, Atlanta Dream)
Spain’s team, led by head coach Miguel Méndez and assistant coaches Cristina Cantero, Raquel Romo, and Anna Montañana, features standout players like Elena Buenavida, Mariona Ortiz, Maite Cazorla, Alba Torrens, Iyana Martín, and Megan DiLeo, among others, representing clubs across Spain, Europe, and the WNBA.
Fan Take: This matchup between Team USA and Spain is a thrilling showcase of elite women’s basketball talent, offering WNBA fans a rare chance to see their favorite players compete on a global stage. A victory here would not only cement Team USA’s dominance but also continue to elevate the profile of women’s basketball worldwide, inspiring the next generation of players and fans.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
