SHENZHEN (China) - Few stages in international women’s basketball offer the drama and intensity quite like the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup Final. From late-game heroics to dynasties built and broken, the title decider has been home to some of Asian basketball's most unforgettable battles.
As we inch closer to another edition, we look back at the greatest FIBA Women’s Asia Cup Final games of the 21st century, where trophies were won, hearts were broken, and history was made. The games below are presented in order from the most recent to the earliest.
In one of the most thrilling final games in recent memory, China reclaimed the throne and ended Japan’s five-title reign in spectacular fashion, 73-71. Down by nine at halftime, China stormed back behind the unstoppable Han Xu, who delivered a commanding performance with 26 points and 10 rebounds. Every possession in the second half felt like a momentum shift. As Japan clung to a narrow lead, China kept chipping away until finally overtaking them in the final moments. With seconds remaining, Japan had a chance to tie or win, but China’s defense held firm, securing their first Asia Cup title since 2011.
Two years earlier, the same teams had locked horns in a battle that showcased star power, tactical shifts, and a memorable finish. China entered the fourth quarter with momentum, but Japan unleashed a sensational 12–1 run to swing the game back in their favor. Leading the charge was Saori Miyazaki, who turned in one of the most complete finals performances in tournament history: 26 points, 11 assists and 7 rebounds. Her fearless drives and pinpoint passes were too much for China to contain. The 78-73 victory marked Japan’s fifth consecutive Asia Cup crown, capping a dominant run that cemented their place as the team of the decade.
When Australia made their debut in the Women's Asia Cup, many assumed the Opals would immediately assert dominance. However, Japan had other plans. In a game that ebbed and flowed with every quarter, neither side could pull away. The lead changed hands multiple times in the final minute, and it wasn’t until the buzzer that Japan knew they had done enough to win, 74-73. Their one-point win over the Aussies not only stunned the new entrants but also underscored Japan’s rising status in the global women’s basketball scene. Saki Mizushima shot the lights out here with seven three-pointers en route to 26 points.
Sometimes, a title decider is about more than just a single game — it’s about the birth of a new era. In 2013, Japan emphatically broke a 43-year championship drought by dismantling traditional powerhouse Korea in a 22-point rout, 65–43. The game’s standout was a young Ramu Tokashiki, whose size, speed, and skill foreshadowed a superstar in the making. She had a 20-point, 18-rebound double-double to carry Japan's golden run. The dominant performance sent a message to the rest of Asia: Japan had arrived, and they were just getting started.
Tactical, tense, and filled with defensive grit, the 2011 title game was a chess match between two of Asia’s fiercest rivals. Points were hard to come by, with every basket hard-earned and every possession a potential game-changer. China held a slim lead late, but Korea refused to go quietly, coming within a shot of snatching the win. Ultimately, China’s composure down the stretch proved decisive, and their 65–62 win handed them the gold. Miao Lijie led the way for China here with a game-high 20 points and was named MVP of the competition.
Backed by a roaring home crowd, Korea delivered a vintage performance to topple their longtime rivals and reclaim the Women's Asia Cup title. Korea’s shooters found rhythm early, and their defense bent but never broke. China pushed hard in the final stretch, narrowing the deficit, but Korea held on with poise and purpose, 79-73. The six-point win was sweeter as it was Korea's first title in eight years, and it reignited their proud tradition on the continental stage. Jung Sun-Min had 18 points and 8 boards for the victors.
From buzzer-beaters to dynastic shifts, the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup Final has been the ultimate showcase of elite competition and unforgettable drama. These six finals remind us that while the scores may fade, the moments and the legends they create live on forever.
DISCLAIMER: These selections are entirely based on personal perspective and do not reflect any official criteria or evaluation. All views expressed are the author’s own.
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