France women's basketball team reaches World Cup semifinals after beating China
France defeated China 61-90 in the quarterfinals in Berlin, advancing to the World Cup semifinals for the first time.
Playing in Berlin, the French women's national basketball team delivered a commanding 61-90 win over China in the World Cup quarterfinals. The result broke a long-standing barrier, marking France's first appearance in a World Cup semifinal since the competition's inception. Scorers such as Marine Johannes and Janelle Salaun each posted 15 points, while Gabby Williams added 14 and Leïla Lacan contributed 12, showcasing balanced scoring and solid rebounding.
France's defense also proved dominant throughout the game. The victory sets up a semifinal clash against the winner of the Belgium-Germany match, scheduled for Saturday. This milestone follows France's previous bronze finish in 1953 and their recent Olympic runner-up status.
Why it matters
France's breakthrough to the semifinals ends a decades-long quarterfinal ceiling for the women's team.
In this story
