Have France overtaken USA as FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup favourites?

Having triumphed in the last four FIBA Women's Basketball World Cups, Team USA are eyeing a record 12th title, which would be double what the Soviet Union achieved.

Their entire squad is made up of WNBA stars, including Caitlin Clark, Breanna Stewart and Paige Bueckers, hence their status as overwhelming favourites.

However, France, who were defeated by the USA by just one point in the Paris 2024 Olympics final, have taken the competition by storm and are in contention to topple the 11-time champions.

Could Frightening France dethrone the USA?

France were among the best of the rest ahead of the World Cup, but that is a club the European side is threatening to break out of.

Jean-Aimé Toupane's team have been relentless, not just winning games but blowing them away with their outrageous scoring power.

Their opening group clash with Hungary was considered their toughest, but they made easy work of their opponents, winning 99-53 as star player Gabby Williams was named Player of the Game.

As France powered past Korea and Nigeria, they have become the highest-scoring team in the World Cup, averaging 101.7 points per game (PPG), while their 111 points scored against Nigeria is the highest of any nation.

Williams has also lived up to the hype, averaging a PPG of 18.7, more than any other player, as she targets the MVP award at the end of the competition.

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Why the USA could be toppled

The USA also started the World Cup strongly, making light work of their closest group rivals, China, with a 94-61 victory.

However, Kara Lawson's team showed they were human in their following clash with Italy, where they edged out their European opponents in a 55-52 win.

Indeed, Team USA were trailing with just over three minutes remaining on the clock but showed their star quality as Breanna Stewart knocked down a two-point jump shot to put USA back in front.

The 11-time champions' scoring power in that match was concerning, and it was their lowest total at a World Cup since the three-point line was introduced in 1984.

Credit must go to Italy, whose defence disrupted the USA's attack, with their rotations and teamwork making it extremely difficult for them to generate any opportunities.

Of course, the reigning champions then thumped the Czech Republic 105-64 in a ruthless performance, but they did finish bottom of Group D without a win.

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Intriguingly, France and the USA cannot meet until the final, which would be a repeat of the 2024 Olympics final, and it is the clash all the neutrals want.

France not only have the form and scoring power, but they have a chip on their shoulder after heartbreak in Paris and are striving to win the World Cup for the first time in their history.

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