2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup
USA ease past Czechia as Caitlin Clark questions remain
A facile victory over Czechia was what the USA needed but, Emmet Ryan writes, there are still big issues to address before the medal rounds of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup. Czechia, already eliminated before this game, were never likely to pose much of a threat to the USA. The Americans leaned into their […]
Germany find their nerve when it matters most
On a day where nerves could have confounded them, a confidence fuelled Germany took control against Mali to punch their ticket to the knockout stage of the 2026 FIBA World Cup. Emmet Ryan on a day where Deutschland proved they belong at this level. The arithmetic was simple, if a touch mind bending. If Spain […]
USA have too many stars and nobody in charge
Italy came oh so close to the greatest upset in the history of basketball at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup. The 30.5 favourites USA looked utterly rudderless against an Italy team that came with organisation as well as belief. The way the USA is playing right now, is putting an unnecessary ceiling on their […]
Belgium’s calm control shows just how far the Cats have come
Even a quiet night from Emma Meesseman couldn’t hide the sheer control Belgium showed whenever they step on the floor. Emmet Ryan watched the Cats moved to 2-0 at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup, as Julie Vanloo stole most of the headlines. We got to see the true maturity of Belgium as a global […]
World Cup chaos arrives right on cue in Berlin
It was a day where convention went out the window. Mali shocked Spain, Hungary ended a long wait, and Germany did likewise. All before Korea decided to give France an early fright. Emmet Ryan on a reinvigorating second day at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup. After a business-like first day, where the favourites all […]
Frieda Buhner blows Group A wide open for Germany
Germany found a second wind thanks to the brilliance of Frieda Buhner to absolutely blow open Group A at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup. Emmet Ryan from a thriller in Berlin. Germany threw everything they had at Japan early, brutally rocking them and bringing the Max Schmeling Halle to life. Japan held it together, […]
A soaking, a sprint, and a World Cup worth the trouble
The crowd was great, the basketball was fine, the weather was awful. Emmet Ryan on his opening experience going multi-arena at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup and how Spain and Germany shifted his spirits. I had to race from the Max Schmeling Halle to the Uber Arena. It was raining violently, the tram was […]
A quiet Caitlin Clark debut still gave Berlin what it wanted
We all know who they came here for There was an impressive crowd in the Max Schmeling Halle on Friday afternoon. Considering that neither USA nor China would be expected to bring much traveling support, a borderline sellout is nothing to sniff at. Of course, anyone with a rudimentary knowledge of the sport would know […]
Germany’s women’s basketball boom meets its World Cup moment
The 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup is an opportunity for Germany, on and off the court. With strong ticket sales and increasingly good performances on the floor, the sport as a whole is on the rise. This is a chance to really show something special. We’re still the guts of two weeks from a ball […]
How the new FIBA Women’s World Cup format raises the stakes
The new format for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup will offer some teams what looks to be a reprieve but others an extra layer of risk. Emmet Ryan on the new staggered knockout format and what it means Last time out at the FIBA Women’s World Cup, only 12 teams took part but two […]
Who can become the biggest threat to USA basketball?
If the USA somehow doesn’t win gold at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup, it will be an all-time shocker in sports. The race to be the clear number two nation in women’s basketball is proving increasingly tasty all the same. Emmet Ryan on the battle to stand above the crowd. The consensus betting for […]