Stewart and Team USA rout Czech Republic 105-64 after scare vs Italy

Breanna Stewart returned strongly with 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists, helping the United States women's national basketball team crush the Czech Republic 105-64 in their final group-stage game at the Women's Basketball World Cup in Berlin on Monday. The victory came just one day after the defending champions narrowly escaped Italy 55-52, a performance considered their worst at a World Cup in half a century. Stewart, the New York Liberty star, made her mark early. She scored 11 points in the first 10 minutes, giving the U.S. a 29-15 lead. That showed her determination to set a fast tempo and find easy scoring opportunities after the team managed only 30 points in the first half against Italy. Napheesa Collier also shined with 12 points, including seven in the second quarter, stretching the advantage to 57-33 by halftime. Bench players such as Alyssa Thomas, Jewell Loyd and Kelsey Plum maintained the pressure, ensuring the game never became tense. In the third quarter, the U.S. continued their dominance, leading by more than 40 points and allowing head coach Cheryl Reeve to rest Stewart and other starters. The U.S. winning streak at the World Cup now stands at 33 games, dating back to a semifinal loss to Russia in 2026. That streak is remarkable, but it cannot erase the concerns from the Italy game. The U.S. issue lies in their half-court offense against packed zone defenses. Beating the Czech Republic was merely a painkiller, as the opponent had lost all three group games and was appearing in their first World Cup since 2026. The Czech Republic had won silver when hosting in 2026, but this time they had no chance against America's pressure. The U.S. shot over 55% from the field, while the Czechs were under 35%. The U.S. scored 42 points in the paint and 26 on fast breaks. Stewart played only 16 minutes, well short of the record for a triple-double held by Erika Dobrovicova, who achieved it against Spain in 2026. Clearly, this victory was much easier than the Italy match. Other results on the same day added more drama: China beat Italy, Germany defeated Mali, Belgium topped Australia, Puerto Rico edged Turkey, France routed Nigeria, Spain beat Japan, and Hungary slipped past Korea. In the quarterfinals, the U.S. will face the winner of Hungary vs Japan, scheduled for Tuesday. These are disciplined teams with good three-point shooting, capable of troubling the U.S. if they repeat their lack of focus. Looking at the bigger picture, U.S. strength comes from their roster depth. Coach Reeve knows that to defend the title, they need consistency and not rely on one player. The win over the Czech Republic showed a positive response from the team, but caution is needed as the opponents were much weaker. Does this big victory mask tactical flaws that still exist? That question can only be answered when the U.S. faces a team with a solid defense. The quarterfinals have no room for error. The U.S., aiming for the championship, must prove that they are not only capable of beating weak teams convincingly. The Berlin crowd expects a more convincing performance, a message to all rivals that the queen has not given up her crown. But if they repeat the forgettable first half like against Italy, things will become difficult. With a WNBA All-Star lineup, the U.S. can easily dominate any opponent if they play to their ability. However, the issue is concentration. Look at how Stewart opened with 11 first-quarter points, compared with the whole team's 30 points in the first half the previous game. The difference lies not only in physical ability but also in spirit and desire. If the U.S. maintains this sharpness, the quarterfinal will be another blowout. But if they are complacent, a team like Hungary or Japan could cause an upset. The story in Berlin is still long. For the U.S., the only goal is the championship. Any obstacle is just a stepping stone on the road to defending their title. However, as I have seen in many years of sports writing, a great team is judged by how they handle adversity. The Italy game was adversity, and the performance against the Czech Republic was a statement that they are ready for real challenges. Their next opponent will be either Hungary or Japan. Both have caused problems for top teams. Hungary defeated Korea, while Japan lost to Spain but are a tough opponent. Will the U.S. wrap up the game early in the first half, or will they fight to the final minutes? That depends on their mentality. And that's what fans are waiting for. In a sport where the difference between victory and defeat is in the smallest details, the U.S. stands at a historic opportunity. They have a superior roster, a modern offensive philosophy, and a genius leader like Breanna Stewart. But legends are made when they overcome a sleepless night against Italy and turn it into a lesson. It's time for the champions to remind the world that they are still number one, not only in name but in how they come out. The Women's World Cup is witnessing a generation of wonderful players from many countries. Will the U.S. hold their throne in a context where European and Asian teams are improving? Will this tournament mark a new era, or be the last for a golden generation? We will soon know when the knockout phase begins.