Additional Quotes >> USA 99, Sweden 57

USA Head Coach Doug Bruno
On winning gold:
To win a World Championship is something that just doesn't happen every day. There are a few things in life that you have only one or two opportunities to seize the moment and undertake. That's what makes this so special.

On the team:
They embraced the concept and quest of accepting nothing less than gold. We have talented players, but sometimes it's not about the best individuals, it's about the best players.

On his experience:
I'm very honored to have coached this team, and I'm honored to have represented USA Basketball. The players were just a treat to be around. They were just great people. We worked them hard. They were a fun loving bunch, and they worked hard.

Vicki Baugh
On the game tonight:
We came ready to play. We knew it was our last game and that it was for the gold medal. Playing so well makes the gold as sweet as it can get. We've earned it. We really have.

On winning gold:
I'm so proud of everything we've accomplished. It's the most incredible feeling. After what we've been through, it really is the most incredible feeling. I wouldn't have been so proud without all our hard work.

Angie Bjorklund
On the game tonight:
It was definitely sweet beating them how we did. It was so much fun, and it was a great way to end things.

On winning gold:
lt's crazy. After all that we've been through, the hard work, it feels so great. It's been such a fun journey on the way. Looking back it went by so fast.

On her experience:
This was definitely a little intro to college basketball, and I'm a better player because of it. It was a good experience for me.

Allyssa DeHaan
On the game tonight:
We had team chemistry, we worked together and we were nailing shots. Our offense was flowing, and our defense was on. It was just a fun experience to be out there tonight.

The gold just tastes that much better knowing that we did it as a team, and this team is amazing.

On her experience:
We've been through ups and downs. Everyone has had their adversity. It's been a long trip, but overall it's worth it just to hold the gold right now.

Amy Jaeschke
On winning gold:
lt was a great feeling. I really wouldn't have wanted to go through everything we have and come away with anything less.

On her game:
I definitely think this experience has helped prepare me for college, especially mentally. I know I have a lot of things to go back home and work on, and I'm just excited to get started playing in college now.

Jantel Lavender
On the game tonight:
We played just an amazing game tonight. We were so pumped from the beginning. We had worked so hard to get here. We came out on fire, got a quick lead, and then just had to maintain it.

On winning gold:
It feels amazing. I'm just so proud to have the gold medal around my neck.

On her game:
l think I've grown as an international basketball player because I've learned about international play. I just think I've grown a lot over this past month.

On her experience:
Hard work. That's a good two words to sum up this experience. We've been putting in the time, putting in the effort, and we saw how it paid off in the end.

Melissa Lechlitner
On winning gold:
We've been through a lot, traveling to different countries and being on the road for a month, when they hang the medal on your neck, it all becomes worth it. It was definitely emotional. They're playing your national anthem.

On her experience:
Through every experience you always learn something new, so I'm taking away a little more knowledge about the game.

Italee Lucas
On the game tonight:
We just wanted to prove a point to all the countries. We are here for a reason, and it wasn't a fluke.

On winning gold:
It's an amazing feeling to finally have something to show for all our hard work. It feels much better than the first gold medal I got. I can't really say why, just the energy and experience.

Maya Moore
On the game tonight:
l was extremely proud, and energized and excited when we came out so strong. It was just fun to come out so well and get the early lead. To win the way we did tonight was just a real statement for our age group worldwide.

On her game:
lt was great. We worked so hard, and we finally got the chance to have the payoff.

Kayla Pedersen
On winning gold:
Representing your country was a great experience. After all the tough times we've been through this past month, to have the gold hanging around your neck feels amazing.

On her game:
I think I was exposed to a lot of things I'm going to see in college, like the physical play. And I learned to understand what my role is and how to take a backseat sometimes. I think mentally I got a lot stronger.

On her experience:
The team got through all the practices together. We bonded and overcame adversity.

Jasmine Thomas
On the game tonight:
We weren't going to let it be close. We went out and played our game the way we knew we could play. We put it to them early and then kept pounding all 40 minutes.

On winning gold:
There are no words to describe the feeling. I kept crying because this is my first international gold medal.

On her experience:
My favorite part has been just getting to know my team. I love them so much. I really do. I could always come back to my teammates, if it was a rough time or a rough game, or whatever. I always had them. Everyone was there to support you.

Krystal Thomas
On the game tonight:
This was the last step for us to win gold. We came out with tons of energy from the start and sustained it all the way through.

On winning gold:
I feel pure excitement, joy, relief--all of that.

On her experience:
Traveling was tough, having practice was hard, but it was all worth it for the gold.

Monica Wright
On winning gold:
I'm just so ecstatic. I always thought we were good enough to do it. This is a great ending to this long month.

On her game:
I've learned a lot over this past month. I can go back to school and bring a lot more for my team now.

On her experience:
I feel like it wall was a great experience. We had our hard times, but in the end we all come through and won the gold together.