Breanna Stewart shines as US rout Czech Republic 105-64 after scare vs Italy

BERLIN — There are games you don't need to watch all 40 minutes to know the outcome. The match between the US and Czech Republic in Berlin on Monday was one of those. Just 10 minutes in, when Breanna Stewart already had 11 points and the Americans jumped to a 29-15 lead, everything was essentially decided. But to understand why this 105-64 victory matters, you need to rewind to 24 hours earlier. I've followed the US national team through multiple World Cups, and I've never seen them struggle like they did against Italy on Sunday. Just 55 points after 40 minutes — their lowest total in a group-stage game in 50 years. Not because Italy defended exceptionally well, but because the US made things difficult for themselves: inaccurate shooting, slow ball movement, and a noticeable lack of sharpness. The 55-52 win over Italy was nothing less than a wake-up call. And how the US responded against the Czech Republic was a true measure of a great team's character. Stewart, who needed just over 16 minutes on court to record 19 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists, made her mark from the opening minutes. She didn't need to force anything — just read the game, chose smart positions, and capitalized on every possession. That's the kind of basketball I call "the elegance of knowing you're better than your opponent." What's notable isn't just the 105-point figure. Look at how the US distributed scoring: Napheesa Collier contributed 12 points with 7 in the second quarter alone, while several other players were also given opportunities to shine. This isn't a one-star team. This is a team of balanced depth, where anyone can be the leading scorer on any given night. I was once burned by a false source in the past, and since then I've learned to cross-check everything — including when analyzing a game. Looking at this victory, the question isn't how strong the US is, but whether the Italy game was a sign of a deeper issue, or simply a rare off night. The truth is, even in this blowout win, there were details a keen observer would notice. The US finished the first quarter with 29 points — nearly matching their entire first-half output against Italy (30 points in that first half). The difference lies in tempo. When the US pushes the pace and keeps the ball moving, they're nearly unstoppable. When they slow down, the game becomes much harder. As for the Czech Republic, this was their first World Cup since 2026, and they leave the tournament winless in group play. But I don't think that's an accurate measure of their level. A team that won silver when hosting the 2026 World Cup is in a rebuilding phase. The fact that Erika Dobrovicova — who recorded the first triple-double in World Cup history in 2026 — remains their icon shows they're searching for a new generation. An interesting detail: Stewart played just over 16 minutes and sat out the entire fourth quarter. This means she had no chance to become only the second player in World Cup history to record a triple-double — a record Dobrovicova still holds. But perhaps that's what makes the US team more formidable: they don't need an individual to set records to win. Looking at the broader tournament, Monday saw a host of notable results. China beat Italy; Germany topped Mali; Belgium defeated Australia; Puerto Rico edged past Turkey in a tight contest; France routed Nigeria; Spain beat Japan; and Hungary slipped past Korea. Each result reshapes the knockout stage picture. I paid particular attention to the Hungary — Korea game. Hungary edged out Korea, and this has direct implications for the US: they'll face the winner of Hungary vs Japan in Thursday's quarterfinal. Looking at how Hungary plays, they're disciplined, defensively solid, and unafraid of physicality. But can they truly upset the US? The answer, in my view, lies in whether the US can replicate the tempo that helped them score 105 against the Czech Republic. In their last three games, there's a clear difference in how the US offense operates between moments of pushing pace and being dragged into a slower game. Italy achieved the latter. The Czech Republic didn't. Hungary — if they get past Japan — will likely study Italy's approach. People remember me for a pronunciation mistake in the past, but I stayed because of the right adjustments. Just like the US team: they might lose a game emotionally, but they'll never lose due to lack of preparation. The 105-64 win over the Czech Republic isn't just a victory — it's a statement that the Italy scare was an exception, not the rule. And that's exactly what makes the US the number one title contender at this tournament. Not because they have the strongest roster — everyone can see that. But because they know how to turn a mental setback into motivation to play their best basketball. When a team has that ability, the title isn't a question of "if" but a question of "when." Thursday's quarterfinal will be the first test of that ambition. And whether the opponent is Hungary or Japan, I believe the US won't repeat the Italy mistake. Because in elite basketball, being burned once is enough to learn the lesson. And the US team, with 33 consecutive World Cup wins, has proven they learn fast.