Mali caused a major upset at the Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, defeating Spain 82-73. This victory marked only the second win in the tournament’s history for Mali, with their first win dating back to 2010 against Senegal in overtime. Despite trailing by two points at halftime, Mali dominated the third quarter with a 31-19 scoring advantage over Spain, seizing control of the game. Sika Kone, who recorded 19 points and 10 rebounds, played a pivotal role in Mali’s success, including a key 16-4 run in the third quarter that shifted the momentum in their favor. The team continued their strong performance into the fourth quarter, securing the win by outscoring Spain. Djeneba N’Diaye also contributed 19 points to Mali’s historic victory.
In another match, Germany defeated Japan 74-58 in front of a passionate crowd. Germany took an early lead by outscoring Japan 28-11 in the first quarter, effectively shutting down Japan’s offense. Despite Japan’s remarkable performance in their previous game, setting a World Cup record with 20 3-pointers, they struggled from behind the arc in this match, making only 3 out of 27 attempts. Germany’s defensive strategy focused on limiting Japan’s 3-point opportunities, which proved successful. Frieda Buhner and Nyara Sabally led Germany with 19 and 18 points, respectively, while Kokoro Tanaka top-scored for Japan with 15 points. Both teams are now tied at 1-1 in Group A.
In a closely contested match, Hungary secured their first World Cup victory in 28 years by defeating Nigeria 71-67. Dorka Juhasz’s impressive performance with 19 points and 16 rebounds helped Hungary clinch the win. Despite Nigeria’s late surge, Hungary managed to hold on to the lead and secure the victory. Virag Takacs-Kiss contributed 17 points to Hungary’s winning effort, while Amy Okonkwo led Nigeria with 17 points. With this win, Hungary looks forward to their upcoming match against Korea.
Overall, the Women’s Basketball World Cup witnessed thrilling matches and unexpected outcomes, showcasing the competitive spirit of the participating teams.
