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00:00And then there were four. Welcome to Berlin, Germany. You're watching the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup on TNT
00:10Sports.
00:12Our first semifinal of this Saturday, France unblemished at 4-0.
00:18They've been red hot offensively and wreaking havoc on defense against the host country, Germany, making its first ever appearance
00:26in the FIBA World Cup semifinals.
00:31Here is your up-to-date bracket. We have coverage of Spain, United States at 1.15 p.m. Eastern
00:37on TBS.
00:38The winner of this ballgame faces the winner of the next one. That's how it works with four to go
00:43in this tournament.
00:46Sarah Kustak, we take a look at France. It's been a two-headed machine. And Gabby Williams and Maureen Johannes.
00:53Two-headed machine, but this speaks to the depth. Gabby Williams has been her doing a little bit of everything
00:59on both ends of the floor. And then you've got a player in Johannes that can come off the bench
01:03and light you up.
01:04The way that France has been leading in so many statistical categories, especially off the offensive side,
01:11has been the level of efficiency. These two players are a perfect example of that.
01:15On the flip side for Germany, Leonie Fibisch. She's been doing a little bit of everything,
01:20but the efficiency that we expect from her, especially from the three-point line,
01:24has not been here yet in Germany. She is due for a breakout game. Still great impact
01:30in helping the host team get here.
01:32Leading rebounder, leader in assists for Germany. We take a look at our starting lineups.
01:37Janelle Salon coming off a multi-three-point effort. We're off and running here in Berlin.
01:44Germany's had two 90-plus-point performances heading into this semifinal.
01:50Fibisch drives, and it's stolen away by Williams to get our day started. Williams up to 11 steals
01:55in this World Cup. Sidestep triple is on the way and good. Gabby Williams continues to set the table.
02:02If you want an example of how Francis rolled through the tournament, that is it. The steals,
02:08the defense, and generating points off those. From the three-point line, it has been a rush.
02:14Saboli throws a whip into Eichmeyer, lays it in.
02:20That opening sequence for France, if you've missed any of this World Cup, you saw pretty much how it's worked
02:26this entire tournament. Averaging about 16 maybe threes per game.
02:32Spray it. Salon lets it fly, and hits! France two for two from deep.
02:36And Janelle Salon, especially from the corner, she has been lights out. France has done a great job
02:42in their ball movement, finding her. You already see that Germany's going to try and put pressure
02:47on this France team. Eichmeyer is pestered by Laila Lacan. It leads to a held ball.
02:54Possession arrow points to France. In the settling in period, early in the game, but here's the rip by
03:01Gabby Williams. She's so strong. The great instinct. She's surveying the floor. Do not give her room!
03:07Pop! And that's what she's been doing through the course of this whole World Cup tournament.
03:11First time captain of France. Says playing for France is the most important thing of her career
03:16and life. Tired of coming up short in these big spots. Amazing to think given how France has performed.
03:24We continue to circle back to that 2024 Olympics in Paris. Barely, uh, what, a toe, a sneaker away, uh,
03:34from extending that game for France and the win with Gabby Williams. But this French team,
03:38they are looking to medal here in the World Cup, getting to the semi-finals for just the second time.
03:45The last time was 1953 where they had earned the bronze. So it's hard to believe with all of this
03:54play and this success,
03:56what the tradition looks like. And you see some, some foundations of success here.
04:00Greatness in the house. Gasol, Byrne, Nowitzki. 8-2 France. Dribble drive-Dob finds it.
04:09Straight King Saboli lays it in. It's a really nice play by Germany and how they're going to be able
04:14to
04:15face the floor and utilize the presence that they have with so many effective post players.
04:22Ayai sets the screen. Wrap-around pass by Williams. Ayai on the drive. Scoops it home.
04:27They can get it done inside, too, when asked to do so. Oh, very much so. That's what makes them
04:33get it inside and also a variety of players. Saboli coming off a double-double. Her first career
04:39double-double at the World Cup. Comes up empty. Williams sprints ahead. Tries to thread the needle. Kickball.
04:47Germany in this World Cup makes its first-ever semi-finals appearance. It's the sixth consecutive
04:54World Cup that the host country is in the semis. It makes for a terrific atmosphere. You can hear
04:59this crowd rocking already. No question. I think that's where settling in comes in because it
05:04tremendous pride. Also a little bit of pressure that adds to it. Badian on the drive. First
05:11miss for France from the floor. Head of the snake, Leonie Phoebus is followed by Badian.
05:20The second half-court defense in France, the second half-court defense, the second half-court defense.
05:22Already we're seeing, too, the pace that these teams are playing at. Quicken getting those rebounds. Looking to push. You've
05:30got two strong defenses. So, to try and not have to necessarily play against a set half-court defense of
05:37France,
05:38same thing goes for Germany. That's how both of these sides will look to be opportunistic and where they can
05:44find some of their easier looks.
05:49Oh!
05:52Phoebus with Saboli. That duo became the first pair of teammates to have at least 15 points
05:57and 10 rebounds in a quarter-final game at the Phoebe World Cup since 2002.
06:03Brazil had three players do it. Four-point game, France in fun.
06:12Leila Lacan, the leader in plus-minus for France, mid-range jumper short.
06:19Luisa Geisel-Suda pushes the lock up the floor for Germany. Phoebus freed up for three.
06:26Kanzik!
06:28Bottoms, that's big.
06:30And we saw this against Belgium. Phoebus did a nice job in knocking down some early shots.
06:37If she gets it going, that will open up the entire offense for Germany change since the dynamic of the
06:43game.
06:43And you know she can do it quick with the pass.
06:47A.I.E. a little slow coming out to contest.
06:50Leone Phoebus, through the course of her WNBA career, shooting 43 percent.
06:54So, you know at some point it's gonna balance out.
06:57It's just a matter of when.
07:00Especially on the catch-and-shoot threes, lethal.
07:03Triple handoff, Williams. Sells out the defense, pulls from the mid-range, got it!
07:12Five for Williams.
07:15She's never scored fewer than 12 points in a FIBA World Cup game.
07:19Salon got the hands of the cookie jar. They hop on the perimeter, and a steal! Salon!
07:24Down the runway, lays it in. France by five.
07:27What a play by Salon, overall for France's defense too, because you see they have the ability to collapse and
07:32still recover.
07:35Britta Daub had the controls for Germany.
07:42Saboli, crisscross to the right, drive and score!
07:45Plus a foul!
07:46Villara Saboli!
07:49Forcefulness in getting to the rim, using Versailles.
07:51She has been aggressive on her attack to the cup through the course of this tournament.
07:57A nice cross.
07:59Salon's worried about staying attached to that shooter.
08:04Salon at the other end with that steal.
08:07It's been a part of what France has been able to do.
08:09We go through the list of areas that they are tops in.
08:13That is one of them.
08:23The heel bounce for Saboli.
08:25Let's visit Sarah Kustak's keys to the game.
08:27Oh, with France's defensive efficiency, and that is just staying connected to the game plan.
08:31Knowing your personnel, how they want to continue to use that to fuel their offense.
08:35Which in saying that for Germany, limiting turnovers, the last thing you can do is give this France team extra
08:42opportunities.
08:43It's been a point of vulnerability at times for Germany, and we see it here early on, ball protection will
08:49be key.
08:50Dominique Molonga and Maureen Johannes have checked in for France.
08:53Marie Goulish, the captain of Germany, into the ball game.
08:57Ball pressure by Peterson.
08:58Peterson, Lacan short.
09:02Alexis Peterson, when these two countries met at the Paris Olympics in the quarterfinals, poured in 15 points.
09:09Germany has never beat France in a senior team competition.
09:130 and 11.
09:15Down just two.
09:16A bump by Lacan.
09:17We play on with five to fire for Peterson.
09:21Three ball on the way, Zontag.
09:23Strong.
09:30Williams assertive.
09:32Seven points.
09:33You don't have to just pick up the ball.
09:36You need to do your best to get into a body and make it physical and tough on a player
09:40like Gabby Williams.
09:42Seeing her shoot three, she can attack the rim with a force.
09:47Basil Suda on an island against Molonga.
09:51Fake one way, back the other.
09:52The hook is smooth.
09:55Schroeder likes it.
09:56A extraordinarily decorated career for Dennis Schroeder, who is for the German national team.
10:05Lacan, the shovel.
10:06Molonga hits the deck.
10:08There's a foul against Geisel Suda.
10:11Olaf Lang is the first time coach of Germany.
10:15He started coaching back in the mid-90s.
10:18He was the U-20 men's Germany coach.
10:21He called Thursday the best day in the history of German women's basketball.
10:28They hope to take it a step further and make today even more special.
10:31There's been a continued growth, and we see it here on the women's side.
10:34We just showed Dennis Schroeder, German's men's team.
10:37They won the 2023 FIBA World Cup, then Eurobasket in 2025.
10:42There's a confidence that they are playing with, a connectivity in attention to detail is going to be really important.
10:50And France, we heard Candace say it earlier in the pregame show about France being tested.
10:56This will be a test for them.
10:58Can they keep playing in the same level of efficiency on both ends that we've seen through the course of
11:03this tournament?
11:04FIBA is fed, fade away, strong.
11:08Rebound Pauline Astier.
11:10Against her teammate in New York, FIBA.
11:13She backtracks defensively.
11:16Luisa Geisel Suda picked up her second foul moments ago.
11:19Astier turns the corner.
11:21France by four.
11:22Depth.
11:23You got players that come in at you and waves and coming off the bench with the speed,
11:27and you can't worry as much about the three-point line as Germany is,
11:32and giving some of those open driving lanes.
11:35Because in a lot of these sets you already see from France,
11:38they're in the case, five out, set out, and you got players in Astier, players in Johannes.
11:43They can attack and get you on the inside still, too.
11:47Astier follows Frieda Buhner, who is Germany's leading scorer, coming off the bench,
11:52just under 15 points per game.
11:54Germany has the most productive bench in terms of scoring at this World Cup.
11:59Speaking of depth, got it from both teams here.
12:03Seriously.
12:04Today.
12:05In the quarterfinal win over Belgium, 51 bench points for Germany.
12:11And I think that's a part of the unselfishness of all these groups, to see it across the board,
12:16and just understanding goals, what's expected, what's needed for both of these coaches,
12:20and Lange and Tupin, combinations that work best together through the course of a full four.
12:26Alexandra Vilca, in for Feebisch.
12:32And Zontag is modeled, but hammered on the right side.
12:37We'll head to the line.
12:38For Germany has been sharp in this tournament.
12:41As a team, 84% second best cliff of the 16 teams.
12:47Zontag does a nice job there in the catch and go.
12:50The left side, able to use some of that size against Johannes to get herself to the free-throw line.
13:09Frida Buter, an offensive rebound off a pair of misses, then throws it away.
13:14Four against three.
13:16Williams motors in.
13:18Malanga, the offensive rebound, no.
13:21Second time, no good.
13:22Another recycle for France.
13:30Astier swerves around the screen.
13:32Shot clock to three.
13:34Salon fires.
13:36Buter parachutes in for the rebound.
13:38A really solid defensive possession for Germany.
13:41Kept the ball, and there are players in front,
13:44force a tough, contested look.
13:47Backdoor pass to Peterson.
13:50Outside, Vilca!
14:00Astier, the bounce, Salon, the glide for two.
14:08It is amazing to think that Germany lost its first game of group play by 30 points to Spain,
14:16who is also in the semi-finals to face the United States later on.
14:20Ghoulish fake one way, back the other.
14:22Vilca's been a go-to player for Germany.
14:25They can get it to her on the inside.
14:27She's got excellent footwork, as you can see.
14:29She was an important piece of being able to continue to advance here, especially through the course of the qualifier.
14:36A callip by Johannes feeds Malanga.
14:39And a foul.
14:42It's on Ghoulish.
14:46Again, Germany's already a little vulnerable in terms of foul trouble.
14:50Geisel Suda picked up her second earlier in the quarter.
14:53And really, we saw this yesterday, or Thursday, I should say, in the quarterfinals as well against Belgium.
14:59There's that balance in being physical, getting into bodies, putting that pressure on, but also making sure that you're keeping
15:06yourself out of foul trouble.
15:08Especially with the amount of options and bigs on the inside, or either rim protection that you need against France.
15:21Good sign for Dominique Malanga, who missed her first two free throws.
15:32The 20-year-old takes care of business.
15:36At 18 years old, named for the French senior team for the 2024 Olympics, Malanga was the youngest on the
15:42squad.
15:45Astier, the box out.
15:47But France throws it away.
15:51First turnover of this first quarter.
15:55What do you think those three are talking about?
15:56Oh, I would love to hear that.
15:59Can I squeeze it in the seat?
16:01Kyle Gasol, Dirk Kavitsky, of course, managing director of Women's USA Basketball, the Hall of Famer herself, Sue Bird.
16:11It is a packed house.
16:14You can understand why siphon is high here for the games we have ahead of us today.
16:20Fever's back in the game, Vilca fakes the chess pass in, rebound Astier.
16:26Berlin Arena holds 17,000 fans, no look feed, Johannes to Malanga, comes up empty, Malanga short once again, she's
16:35had her struggles from the floor.
16:38It just has to be an intentionality and focus on those finishes.
16:43Malanga's right there, we talked a lot about her, just 20 years old.
16:48She needs to keep being a presence for France.
16:5290 seconds to play in the first quarter, Iara Saboli drives on Salon.
16:57Drag the feet slightly, Salon with the stump, numbers the other way.
17:02Johannes, zigzag, the bounce to Malanga.
17:06Off again, rebound Feebisch.
17:10Tempo being pushed, Vilca, leaner.
17:16Stays with Germany.
17:26Right here, Vilca showcasing a little Euro, getting the foul.
17:30She had her first double-digit game with those 10 points against Belgium.
17:35She was really efficient from the field.
17:39Kenya Toure checks in for the first time for France.
17:46Goulish with the bank in.
17:48One-point game.
17:49This one has been tight since the opening tip.
17:55Johannes, a few crossovers.
17:57Step back, three-pointer.
18:08Goulish, fed, spins on the shoulder, Germany leads.
18:12I love that play.
18:14Feebisch probably could have pulled up for a midi or self,
18:17or for a three-point shot.
18:18That is a beautiful entry feed to the post.
18:21Johannes fires, connects.
18:24First points for Marine Johannes.
18:27Now up to 17 made threes in the tournament.
18:31France by two, shot clock is off for Germany.
18:42Feebisch sets the screen.
18:44Peterson turns the corner, flips it up, short.
18:48Salon rips it free.
18:50And the first quarter's in the books, just a two-point game.
18:54The winner heads to the gold medal game.
18:57We got a good one here at Berlin Arena.
18:59One quarter between France and Germany.
19:01Le Bleu by two at the end of one.
19:03Brendan Glashin, Sarah Cousa.
19:05And you see the stats.
19:06This has been a well-played first quarter here
19:08for both teams settling in.
19:11The turnovers are one thing that jump out at you.
19:13France is not capitalized necessarily in the same way
19:15as you would anticipate, and Germany's still within two here.
19:18But as this game goes on for Olaf Lang,
19:21that is gonna be one of the biggest keys to keep your eye on.
19:27Frida Buter of the Portland Fire with the basketball.
19:32Foolish up top, Ayai.
19:36Up to defend.
19:37Peterson against Carla Lane.
19:39Her shovel pass is intercepted.
19:42France with its fifth steal.
19:44They've had double-digit steals in all four World Cup games
19:48to this point.
19:51Patty on.
19:54No room for an up and under.
19:55Johannes is flying baseline.
19:57No angle.
19:59Minya TourƩ kicks it up.
20:01Ayai front deep.
20:04Fourth three-pointer for France.
20:06Fourth and from different players.
20:08If Ayai's dropping in threes like that,
20:11the balance to be effective from there is huge.
20:15She's hit six of eleven now in this tournament.
20:18She's taking advantage of her opportunities.
20:20Fairly comfortable.
20:25Phoebus operates right.
20:27Push pass.
20:28Emily Besoit back to Phoebus.
20:30Three in the air.
20:33Heads up play by Buter, but a foul.
20:35Covenant number twenty, BWF plus plus nine.
20:39There's the foul.
20:40You see right here is continuing to get it to the second side.
20:44That's a deep one for Ayai as the shot clock is winding down.
20:47She's got a hand flying at her, still drains it.
20:51I think that's been the question for France.
20:53Can they maintain the efficiency they've shown nearly 46% from threes
20:59through the course of this World Cup tournament?
21:01Those numbers are impressive.
21:05They've made at least twelve in each game.
21:08Trying to get to the gold medal game for the first time ever.
21:13Believe it or not.
21:15After a runner-up performance in Paris.
21:17Phoebus Buehner the extra.
21:20Work on the perimeter.
21:21Dumped inside.
21:23The swan.
21:24And the foul.
21:29That's a play that you're working the inside out.
21:32It's on all points.
21:34Patient for Germany.
21:36They're playing really methodical.
21:38They're putting on the push, trying to look for early offense.
21:41Don't have anything.
21:42So they work the France defensive.
21:45And Brendan, we've talked about it quite a bit.
21:47This is where Germany is at their best.
21:49They average almost 44, or excuse me, 37 points in the paint.
21:54And so when they're able to get some of their bigs with their back to the basket,
21:59how they're able to utilize their size, get that single coverage,
22:02they've been really effective.
22:05Germany needed a quarter-final qualifier win Tuesday against Korea.
22:09Williams for two, up to nine.
22:13They scored 50 points in the paint in that game.
22:15They found their formula offensively, 90-plus in the last two.
22:19France by four with eight minutes and change to go in this first half.
22:24You're watching the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup on CBS.
22:29Gabby Williams has poured in nine points in this FIBA World Cup semifinal.
22:35Four or five shooting and two steals.
22:37What else is new?
22:38She pulls out the variety of packs.
22:39She can score at all three levels.
22:42She's attacking the basket.
22:43She works her mid-range game.
22:45The length, the acceleration, and just the reach.
22:49She's really patient, obviously not in that three-point shot, but it's so steel.
22:52She can cover ground in ways because of her instincts and because of that quickness
22:58that schools France.
22:59And for them to be able to continue to be impactful on both ends and slow Germany down
23:09in their offense, that's going to be huge for them as they try to extend this lead.
23:13Gabby Williams can make the opponent lose themselves.
23:1730-26.
23:19Well done, B.
23:20Hey, they were rocking at Berlin Arena.
23:2317,000 capacity.
23:26Not many seats open.
23:32Sontag was deflected by France.
23:35So it stays Germany ball four on the shot clock.
23:37Yeah, looking for Buhner.
23:38And Germany really hasn't been able to get a lot of touches.
23:41Buhner still would help a field goal attack.
23:44She's been critical.
23:47This is what Germany has done offensively to move the tournament.
23:50And that's a lot of credit to France for very much keying on her at that end of the floor.
23:56And flip the call.
23:57France possession.
23:58Badiang, deep post position.
24:00And wiggles free to lay it in.
24:03Two points from Badiang.
24:06Badiang.
24:07Mariam Badiang, the 31-year-old center.
24:10And a mainstay in the paint.
24:13To use Tina Charles word, a stabilizer.
24:16In the non-Milonga minutes, Andayai kick out.
24:19Buhner.
24:20Chase down.
24:22Dobbs got it.
24:25With dry spell for Germany.
24:30Three ball Geisel Suda.
24:33Way strong.
24:35France ball.
24:36France defense on point.
24:39They're so good because they have very good individual defenders and their communication has been good.
24:46They're moving on a string.
24:47This is an important couple minutes here for both sides.
24:52Germany now two-foot's last eight from the floor.
24:54Hands in.
24:56Sontag.
24:58And I think that always becomes a question.
25:00We got a ton of time obviously left in this game.
25:03But if you're missing shots against this France team.
25:07Can you still withstand a run where you're doing your job on defense?
25:16Okay Dobbs for the fall.
25:21Carla Lee clips it up and she's fouled.
25:28And it's Dobbs again.
25:31That's her second.
25:33That's her second.
25:40Unrivaled basketball is back.
25:42The fast-paced action-packed women's 3v3 lead returns featuring players like Nafisa Collier,
25:48Paige Beckers, Chelsea Gray, and more.
25:50Season three begins January 2027 on TNT, True TV, and HBO Max.
25:58Seen a tremendous rookie season.
26:01For Carla Leite here with the Portland fire of the WNBA.
26:10She's a newcomer on this France squad.
26:13It's got eight returners from that silver medal team at the Olympics two years ago.
26:19Leite, Torey, Gage, Paulie Nastier, some of the newer faces and they really have just been in flawless though.
26:28It's only a matter of time for those four new players to take a step onto this stage.
26:36France by eight in this semi-final.
26:39Oh, and it trickles home for Phoebus.
26:42Much needed for Germany.
26:45They'll take that one.
26:47A little homerim love.
26:51Second three-pointer for Phoebus.
26:53Eight points.
26:54We said at the start of this game, she's got to bring it.
26:57Leite.
26:58Air nails it.
27:00It's a big shot for Germany.
27:02It is.
27:03And again, this is kind of a pivot point because throughout the course of this tournament,
27:07it's been around the early parts of the second quarter where France has really opened up so many games.
27:13A lot of it starts with getting some turnovers on their defensive end.
27:18But this is where Germany needs to withstand some of that run and some of that push.
27:24Batty on draped on Sabley.
27:26Work on the perimeter.
27:27Deflection.
27:28Hayati.
27:29In this lineup in particular, you see the length and quickness.
27:31They're going to make sure to extend your offense.
27:42Germany at 48% shooting.
27:44They've connected up three three-pointers.
27:48Six turnovers, which is a surprise.
27:50They average the fewest per game in the league.
27:52Peterson dashed to the last basket and knocked away by Lacan.
27:56Hustle plays on tag.
27:58France the other way.
28:04Lacan wants to go to school.
28:07Kick out.
28:08Batty on.
28:10Way short.
28:13It's a home game for Germany.
28:17They're fueled off of the crowd.
28:19Alexis Peterson said a few days ago, it's a huge difference because when we're tired,
28:24when we need that extra push, if your shot doesn't fall, the other team goes on a run,
28:28we have that crowd motivation.
28:33And not to mention what it does potentially to the opponent.
28:44And we get a timeout.
28:45France up by five with five and a half to go in the second quarter.
28:50Country is hanging tough with the new power ranked number one team in the world, France.
29:00Feebush has been filling it up early.
29:02Take a little bit of a bounce.
29:03We talk about this a lot.
29:04Leone Feebush is such a critical piece for how this team operates.
29:10Two of two so far from three, two of three.
29:14From the field, she's gotten to the line.
29:16She does everything.
29:17She's a shut down defender with her length, her size, what she can do defensively.
29:22It's massive offensively, her rebounding, the way she passed, facilitated.
29:26There's so many things, but they do need her to be efficient.
29:30Paint touch for late.
29:32Puts it in France by seven.
29:34In order to try and combat this depth that France brings.
29:43Germany's eighth turnover.
29:45There was an offensive foul on Peterson prior to the timeout by France.
29:50Gaby Williams has already played 11 minutes in this game.
29:53Part for coach Janime Coupon, a ticker off the floor.
30:00Williams, a deep triple.
30:04Midway point, second quarter.
30:06France has never been to the gold medal game at the FIBA World Cup.
30:11Neither has Germany.
30:14Lacan off the iron.
30:18And it's Germany's ball.
30:21Lacan has had a couple of those.
30:22I love how she's snaking some of those screens, getting in the paint.
30:26She's being patient.
30:27They haven't dropped for her yet.
30:29But some good variability in what you're showing the defense.
30:33Saba steamrolled into the paint, but lost it off her lower left.
30:37It's another turnover for Germany.
30:39We set it off the top.
30:40They've been so good at taking care of the basketball.
30:43That could come back to bite them.
30:45But the question is, does France take advantage of them?
30:48And they have to some semblance, but not quite as dominant as we've seen.
30:55That, though, has been such a key component of how France has played.
31:00They're averaging 13 steals per game.
31:03Nearly 32 points off of turnovers this tournament.
31:07Already five turnovers for Germany in this quarter.
31:10Nine total.
31:11They get a stop.
31:15Eichsmeyer off on the three.
31:18Ipish out of nowhere.
31:20Draws and follows on Lacan.
31:23They'll get Johannes for the reach during that sequence.
31:35And that's her second.
31:38Turnover Germany.
31:40Oh, yeah.
31:42Oh, yeah.
31:44Oh, yeah.
31:45Oh, yeah.
31:47Oh, yeah.
31:48Oh, yeah.
31:48Oh, yeah.
31:49Wait a minute.
31:50Yeah, yeah, baby.
31:51Team toes in.
31:52Olaf Lang, appointed head coach after his duties in Australia.
31:57With the national team alongside his wife, Sandy Bungdella.
32:03Watching Keenly.
32:06Oh, Gallup by Johannes.
32:07Shovels it home with the right hand.
32:10Change of speed.
32:12Little wiggle to her.
32:14Wait to see what she's going to do.
32:16And it gives her enough room and space for the flip.
32:19Germany needs a timeout.
32:21France by nine with four minutes to go.
32:24France's sharpshooting is the main reason why they're here.
32:27They do a lot of things well.
32:28They've hit four today.
32:29Well, if you see the blue spacing on the floor, this is what opens it up.
32:32And a player like Gabby Williams, as you watch, she is such a threat to pass,
32:37to facilitate everyone, to get to the basket.
32:39So with that movement, it's a read and react of the defense.
32:43They're not just firing up threes loosely.
32:46And because you need to worry about how they can drive, how they can get it in the paint,
32:51the multiple options on the floor often gives a lot of space and a room for those clean looks.
32:58France is winning this second quarter 13-6.
33:01That includes a 10-3 run over the last four minutes.
33:07And the home country is trying to inspire its women's basketball team in the semifinals for the first time ever.
33:16It's the second time ever Germany hosts a FIBA World Cup.
33:19Six consecutive World Cups.
33:21The host country is in the final four.
33:24They tried to go to Bibisch on the dribble handoff.
33:27Eismeier, lane shut down.
33:29Saboli a jab and a drive through the double.
33:32And the foul!
33:37What a tough play by Miara Saboli.
33:41We've said her names so often in critical moments.
33:45This is a forceful penetration by Molanga.
33:48And Ai's trying to come over there to help.
33:51Doesn't close the gap well enough.
33:54Ooh, Dirk.
33:55Dirk's loving that.
33:58Speaking of Hall of Famers.
34:00He knows a thing or two about going off one foot.
34:03Yeah, certainly does.
34:05And Miara Saboli has just been a very consistent force for Germany.
34:11Especially with how she's gotten to the free throw line and gotten to the rim through putting it on the
34:16deck.
34:17Miara Saboli has elevated her game.
34:20Her sister Satu out for this tournament has been shut down for the remainder of the WNBA season.
34:27With head injuries, Johannes skates by and picked off by Peterson.
34:35Germany has amped it up a notch out of the timeout.
34:40The captain, Ghoulish.
34:44Looking, looking over to Saboli.
34:47Belong to the matchup.
34:49Adish Eichmeier is fouled.
34:52What a cut and a read.
34:55Ghoulish is sitting there waiting on it for Eichmeier.
34:58Realized that France wants to deny you.
35:00For Lacan.
35:01Lacan is trying to get that passing lane.
35:03That's part of how they turn you over and get those steals.
35:08Because of it, Eichmeier makes a great read with that backdoor cut to the basket.
35:13Miara Saboli gets a breather seven points in nine minutes.
35:17And those are the things that Germany against this France defense needs to continue to do.
35:23If there are overplays, a part of that is the responsibility of the recipients of the pass
35:30or of those cutters moving well without the basketball reading what their defenders do
35:34doing to try and find some of those lanes.
35:47It's back to five.
35:58It's back to five.
36:04That's halfway down and out.
36:06Pinballs to Phoebus.
36:07Big couple of sequences here for Germany.
36:12Phoebus comes back to the rock.
36:14Bluffs.
36:15Puts the head down.
36:17Blocked by Malanga.
36:18No a foul.
36:20First personal on Malanga.
36:25Phoebus, we talk a lot about Malanga.
36:28The 20-year-old, 6'5", he's got length.
36:31But Phoebus has got some height and length to her as well.
36:34And because she contorts her body, she's able to draw that contact on the arm.
36:39For Phoebus, 26 years old, 6'3".
36:43Done a really nice job at just how she's asserted herself early in this one.
36:48And no question, she needs to.
36:55The Belgium quarterfinal was a get-right game.
36:58A tournament high 17 points, but for the tournament just 29% shooting and 19% from three.
37:04And you rarely see that from her.
37:06And you want to continue to know she did so many of the little things for Germany,
37:11but they also need the big things.
37:12Making rain, Gabby Williams, a shimmy back on the other end.
37:1612 points for Williams.
37:19She has now scored at least 12 points in 11 career World Cup games.
37:25Peterson hit the brakes and deliver.
37:29Four points for Alexis Peterson, the former ACC Player of the Year at Syracuse.
37:35Steady.
37:38Under two minutes to play in the half.
37:41Winner to the gold medal game, USA and Spain is next.
37:47Oh, fake one way, back the other.
37:49There's a push by Eichmeyer and Williams granted a trip to the free throw line.
37:54Gabby Williams creates with the ball in her hands in ways that if she can get anywhere she wants to
38:01on the floor,
38:02you see the push by Eichmeyer just doing anything she can to try and get her off her spot.
38:09There's a strength though of Gabby Williams and that's been part of her role this season with the Valkyries.
38:16Have had conversations with her throughout the course of the WNBA season.
38:19as you look at her highly, highly efficient numbers, how much she's been relied upon to create,
38:26working off the ball screens and there's a freedom, a growth in just how her game flourishes
38:32each and every time you see her on the floor.
38:35The French captain remains perfect at the free throw line in the tournament, nine of nine.
38:41Fourth leading score has 14, Lacan, a steal.
38:45Daylight ahead.
38:46First points for Layla Lacan of the Connecticut Sun.
38:53Back up to nine for France.
38:58Biggest lead of the game, Peterson for three.
39:03Chase to the rebound, Phoebus.
39:06Tossed it out of bounds, right out of real estate.
39:09You mentioned that, biggest lead of the game for France.
39:11When there was about five, four or five minutes left, Germany made a nice push.
39:16They cut into it, it was very critical time as you get set to go into this halftime locker of
39:20Layla Lacan
39:21with the steal.
39:22That may get her going, seeing an easy one go through.
39:28German national team legend, Dennis Schroeder.
39:33A little smile on his face, but for France, they can extend this to single digits, get a little more
39:40breathing room.
39:41Make a big difference here as you go into the halftime locker room.
39:58France has scored at least 90 points in all four of its cup games for today.
40:04Peterson found an edge, high off the window, yes!
40:08Fired up Alexis Peterson.
40:11What a swing, if Salon hits the three, it's a double-digit deficit, now it's back to seven.
40:20Astier circles back.
40:24Shot clock down to seven, Pauline Astier deep into the paint, batted away, and nabbed by Peterson.
40:33The Germans have numbers.
40:35Peterson wanted the trailer, and she's fouled.
40:38Lacan picks up her second person.
40:42Excellent job by Germany and by Alexis Peterson.
40:45They have numbers, but they also had time.
40:47And you want to make sure that you're not rushing anything as you close out this half.
40:53Alexis Peterson, you said it, ACC Player of the Year at Syracuse.
40:57She put a little bit in the WNBA before really successful stints in Israel, Poland, Turkey, France.
41:04She's a player that is familiar with the international game.
41:08She brings a lot of veteran experience at 31 and stops in places she's been at,
41:13and that is shown in pivotal parts of this tournament to this point for France.
41:17Or for Germany.
41:19Peterson was inspired by Hall of Famer Becky Hammond to switch up her nationality.
41:28She had represented the United States in 3x3 basketball at this international level.
41:34USA and Germany agreed to a change of her nationality going back to the summer of 2023.
41:39That's when she was approached.
41:40She was huge at those Paris Olympics, scored 15 points against France in the quarters,
41:46and you said it, the European experience, her pass-first mentality to put her teammates
41:52in positions to succeed, invaluable.
41:58Buter checks in for Sontag.
42:00And Frieda Buter will trigger it in.
42:04And Germany down seven.
42:10Astier kept it alive momentarily.
42:1374, 4.9 seconds remaining in this first.
42:17Theory has serious Megan.
42:17Another question.