Breanna Stewart and America's Smackdown: From the Italian Nightmare to a 105-64 Rout of Czech Republic

Tonight, at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, I hear not the drums or the cheers of thousands of fans. I hear the sigh of relief from a team that just overcame its fear. Breanna Stewart raises the ball, her first three-pointer swishes through the net, and I suddenly recall a line I once wrote for a football match: "Football is the most beautiful sadness I have ever known." But tonight, this sport – basketball – has become a fierce joy, a liberation as the United States crushes the Czech Republic 105-64. That number is not just a score; it is a declaration that the nightmare against Italy was merely a traffic accident on the road to the destination. Context: On Sunday, the U.S. endured its worst preliminary-round game in 50 years, scoring only 55 points in a nail-biting 55-52 win over Italy. It was a forgettable performance, where the offense stalled, the ball moved slowly, and stars like A'ja Wilson and Jewell Loyd seemed lost. Coach Cheryl Reeve surely had sleepless hours after that game. But on Monday, against the Czech Republic, everything reversed. Stewart, as is the habit of the great, ignited the early phase: 11 points in the first 10 minutes, including forceful drives and crisp catch-and-shoot shots. The Americans seemed to say: "Let us vent." Not only Stewart, but the entire team rediscovered their chemistry. The U.S. had only 30 points in the entire first half against Italy, yet tonight they had 29 points in the first quarter alone. Napheesa Collier shone in the second quarter with 7 of her 12 points, helping the team build a 57-33 lead by halftime. In the third quarter, the game was no longer a contest. The margin quickly surpassed 40 points. The Czech Republic, winless in pool play, was swept away like a leaf in a storm. Notably, Stewart played just over 16 minutes. She finished with 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists – a full stat line but just short of a triple-double. She sat on the bench in the fourth quarter, content to watch her teammates finish the job. I wonder: If she had played a few more minutes, would history have placed her alongside Erika Dobrovicova, the only player in World Cup history with a triple-double (in 2026)? But that is the way of winners: they do not chase records; they chase championships. Stewart has said she wants to leave a legacy through rings, not numbers. This victory also marked the U.S.'s 33rd consecutive World Cup win, dating back to a semifinal loss to Russia in 2026. A seemingly endless streak, but the Italy scare itself was a reminder: nothing lasts forever. The Russians – the very place where I once lived and learned that despair is a form of transcendence – had beaten them 14 years earlier. Since then, the U.S. has dominated absolutely. But world basketball is closing the gap. Japan, China, and even Belgium – emerging teams – no longer fear the red, white, and blue. I glance at the Czech bench; they are travelers returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2026. They won the silver medal when they hosted in 2026. But tonight, they were like an unfinished poem, lacking rhythm against an opponent that had just vented its anger. They lost all four pool games, yet I do not think it is a disaster. For a rebuilding team, each game against the big sisters is a valuable lesson. They will return. The cycle of world basketball is such: today you are crushed, tomorrow you may stand on the podium. Meanwhile, the U.S. has moved to the quarterfinals, where they will face the winner of Hungary vs. Japan. That is an intriguing challenge. Hungary just beat Korea, while Japan boasts a talented generation with a fast, precise style. They proved it by staying competitive against Spain. I am not sure the U.S. will have another easy game. Their problem lies not in talent – they have plenty – but in focus and rhythm. Against Italy, they forgot how to pass, run sets, and decisions became slow. Against the Czech Republic, they rediscovered it. But can they maintain it through knockout rounds with mounting pressure? Look at the other results on Monday: China beat Italy, Germany topped Mali, Belgium beat Australia, Puerto Rico edged Turkey, France routed Nigeria, Spain beat Japan, and Hungary slipped past Korea. Italy, the team that troubled the U.S., lost to China – showing that in this tournament, no team is invincible. The balance of power is shifting. Belgium, with its experienced roster, just defeated Australia – a medal contender. France is also soaring. All prove this World Cup is no longer a stroll for the Americans alone. For me personally, this game evokes deep thoughts. I remember sleepless nights watching basketball in Moscow, where Russia taught me that despair is also a form of transcendence. And tonight, I see that transcendence in Breanna Stewart's eyes as she leaves the court, needing no further validation. She had an efficient day, and her team earned a convincing win. But more obstacles lie ahead. I feel this tournament will not have an easy ending. Every rose has its thorns; the U.S. touched one against Italy and removed it. But the next thorns might be sharper. The game against the Czech Republic was not a masterpiece of art, but a performance of determination. It was like a painter who, after botching a canvas, tears it down and starts anew with fresh inspiration. Stewart was the first stroke, and her teammates completed the painting. But true art lies in facing criticism and rising. That is what the Americans did tonight. I wonder if Vietnamese fans, who are gradually falling in love with basketball through the NBA, can grasp this drama. Basketball is not just spectacular dunks; it is a story of revival, of overcoming oneself. The U.S. team tonight gave us a lesson in pride. They did not need to win by 100; they just needed to win their way. And they did. Now ahead of them lies the quarterfinal. If they face Hungary, they will encounter a disciplined unit that wins through intelligence rather than strength. If they face Japan, they will have to chase lightning-fast three-point shooters. Both could push the U.S. into difficulty. But I believe tonight the U.S. sent a message: they are ready. They have regained their pulse. The question is whether they can sustain it when facing real resistance. I recall a legend's saying: "Basketball does not lie." Tonight, the ball says the U.S. is still the most formidable team. But the ball also once said Italy could hold them down. So I will not rush predictions. I only know this tournament is becoming more fascinating by the day, and I am lucky to witness it. Like an unfinished poem, the U.S.'s story at the 2026 World Cup remains open. The next verses will be written in Berlin, and I will be there, listening to the ghostly applause of history.