LAUSANNE (Switzerland) - What makes a game special? It can be history-making, there can be an upset, it can be a showdown of two great teams. All of those are examples of why fans should watch certain games.
Of course, you should watch as many games of the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025 as possible. But if you only have a limited amount of time and need some help to find out which games could be special, we have you covered.
We reviewed the group stage schedule and came up with these five can't-miss games.
Mali vs Serbia - Group A
This will be the first game of the group for both teams and Serbia will go into it as favorites and also confident of their chances of playing for a medal over the course of the tournament. Serbia also have never lost to an African team - with four wins by an average of 21.8 points including a 23-point win over Mali in 2007. Mali, for their part, picked up their only two wins over European teams in 2019 when they defeated Latvia to start the tournament and the surprised France in the Semi-Finals.
Mali also are back in the FIBA U19 World Cup after missing the 2023 edition and will be extra motivated. They also have a roster loaded with players who have learned the game in Spain and elsewhere in Europe and will not be intimidated by Serbia. There is a possible upset brewing here.
Slovenia vs Germany - Group B
This all-European showdown will be a repeat of the Semi-Finals of the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2024, in which Germany defeated Slovenia 88-68 en route to their first-ever youth continental crown. Both teams will have their nearly entire rosters back so the game from last year will serve as a bit more motivation for Slovenia.
Germany want to avoid a slip-up directly to start the tournament as they have realistic title chances. Also, any time European teams face off in a global event the quality is really high.
USA vs Australia - Group D
The so-called Group of Death gives fans a real treat straight away on day 1 with Australia going up against title favorites USA.
Even though both countries are big names and regularly compete in the U19 World Cup, this is just their second match-up since 2013. The Americans defeated the Emus 87-66 in the group stage in 2021. The Australians have had a final roster for more than a month and perhaps could pull the opening day surprise against the Americans, who didn't start their tryouts until June 14 and could have initial struggles with chemistry and playing style.
Switzerland vs Israel - Group C
History will be made on the opening day in Group C as hosts Switzerland and Israel will face off in a showdown of FIBA U19 World Cup debutants. One of these countries will celebrate after grabbing a victory in their first-ever game of the competition's history.
Whichever team wins will also have a leg up in possibly winning the group, which includes Dominican Republic and Jordan. It's always great to see history being made and this game will have that.
France vs USA - Group D
Two of the giants of world basketball - USA beat France in the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Gold Medal Games - have had big games at the U19 World Cup as well. The Americans won the first six games against France in the junior competition including 78-75 in the 2007 Semi-Finals and 83-81 in the 2021 Final. France ended their drought two years ago with an 89-86 victory in the Semi-Finals for the country's first-ever win over the Americans in a youth world event.
The two powers face off in the Group of Death and France would love to make it wins in back-to-back events.
FIBA