Team USA brace for Spain showdown

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Lawson demands more from her squad

Team USA head coach Kara Lawson has laid down the gauntlet ahead of Friday's FIBA Women's World Cup semi-final against Spain. Her message to the squad was blunt: raise the bar, or risk falling short when it matters most.

The challenge came after a sluggish display in a tight win over Italy earlier in the tournament. Lawson made clear that scraping through would not be good enough at this stage of the competition.

Players ready to respond

Star forward Napheesa Collier acknowledged the wake-up call, admitting the team knew they had underperformed. She voiced confidence that the group would deliver when it counted most.

Since that wobble, the Americans have looked far sharper. Convincing victories over Czechia and Hungary sealed their semi-final berth, with notable improvements at the defensive end catching the eye.

Spain pose a serious threat

Spain will be no pushover. After suffering an early group-stage upset, they have roared back into form with a string of impressive results that underline their quality and depth.

The player to watch is Iyana Martín, the 2023 U19 World Cup MVP. She has been electric in the tournament, averaging 16.5 points per game while leading Spain in both scoring and assists.

Defence the key battleground

For Team USA, discipline without the ball will be critical. Spain's attack thrives on constant movement and penetration into the paint - exactly the kind of offence that can draw cheap fouls.

Encouragingly, the Americans have cleaned up their foul count in recent outings. If they can maintain that composure against Spain's relentless motion, they will fancy their chances of reaching the final.