LAUSANNE (Switzerland) - There has been plenty of drama at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025. After two days of games, the teams take a break from competition on Monday before finishing off group play a day later. What better time to look back on what has happened so far with 5 ups and 5 downs.
Let's start with the bad first to finish on the positive side.
Down #1
One of the biggest storylines of the tournament from the disappointing side has been Serbia. The Europeans have been upset twice so far in Group A - first by Mali and then against Argentina.
Serbia came to Switzerland as the runners-up from the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2024. But they have not found a way to come through in the clutch moments - losing by two and five points.
The good news? They have one more game to get it together before the elimination round. Then, it's a whole new competition.
Down #2
A close second place is fellow Balkan side Slovenia, who also have lost both games thus far in Group B. The Europeans were beaten by seven points against Germany and then watched as Canada rallied for a 19-point victory - both times Slovenia failed to hold a double-digit lead.
Slovenia were leading over Germany by 13 points in the third quarter and lost in a rematch of the Semi-Finals of the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2024. Slovenia then collapsed in the second game - going from up by 17 points in the second quarter to losing by 19 points - including allowing a 28-2 run in the third quarter. Can they recover and regroup?
Down #3
Even with Slovenia at 0-2 in Group B are China, who have lost to Canada and Germany. The Asian powers were close in the opener against the Americas side, losing only by 8 points. But China really had a difficult game against Germany, watching the European U18 champions pull away already in the first half and falling by 24 points.
While it is only the first two games, China have not shot better than 39 percent from the field. Can they do better? We'll find out soon.
China came into the tournament as one of the teams with the most preparation. China had played a number of games and tournaments from around the world and been together in some configuration for up to four months. Maybe this will pay off in the days to come?
Down #4
Dominican Republic takes this spot after beating Jordan but then losing against home team Switzerland in Group C - allowing the hosts the country's first FIBA U19 World Cup win. The Americas team now hope to knock off Israel in the final game of the group stage for some confidence heading into the knockout games.
The Dominicans also struggled in their game against Jordan, leading just by four points a minute into the fourth quarter and winning by 10 points. And then they only scored 80 points against a Switzerland side that gave up 102 points to Israel.
Down #5
Jordan had a tough fight in their game against Dominican Republic as they only lost by 10 points and were down by just four points a minute into the fourth quarter. It was a strong start by the Asian team, which is playing at the FIBA U19 World Cup for the first time in 30 years.
Jordan have one more game in the group as they hope to get their first win in competition history, taking on hosts Switzerland. This could turn their competitions around in the right direction.
Up #5
Cameroon may be 0-2 but they really should be 1-1 with their first-ever victory after giving away the second game against Australia. The FIBA U19 World Cup debutants played a tough first half against France, trailing just seven points at the break before losing 75-50.
The second game saw Cameroon fight back from 11 points down late in the third quarter and actually were leading by six points with 50 seconds to go. Australia would rally and force overtime and the Africans would lose in two overtimes.
Cameroon next face USA in the final game of the group stage and will then have been majorly battle-tested when it comes to the Round of 16. The team that is going to play Cameroon better be ready!
Up #4
Mali pulled off a major upset to start off the tournament by knocking off Serbia before falling to New Zealand on Day 2. The Africans added another illustrious result to their history - it's hard not to remember Mali reached the Final at the FIBA U19 World Cup in 2019 - by shocking the Europeans.
The Mali guards gave Serbia massive problems and the country ended up winning 72-70.
Things did not go so well against New Zealand as Mali scored only 9 points in the first quarter and then managed just 12 points in the second half. The final group stage game will be against Argentina.
Up #3
Switzerland already gave their fans a good show by beating Dominican Republic for their first win in the history of the competition after having lost to Israel in their first-ever game. The hosts lost 102-77 to Israel in the opener in front of a good crowd in Lausanne.
More than 4,500 fans came out for the second game against Dominican Republic and Ivan Rudez's team played much better defense in registering an 80-76 victory.
Switzerland's victory was the first on the global stage for a men's team since the country beat Ireland and Iraq at the 1948 Olympics.
Up #2
Israel sit alone atop Group C with wins over Switzerland and Jordan. The victory over Switzerland was the country's first in the history of the competition - in their first-ever game.
Israel started to pull away in the final minutes of the first half against the Swiss and were never challenged the rest of the way.
Israel's final game of the group stage will be versus Dominican Republic. The team is now in a very good position looking at the Round of 16.
Up #1
And the highest upward trend belongs to Canada, who have been able to form a unit and register a great start. The Americas side top Group B alongside Germany at 2-0 after wins over China and Slovenia.
Canada were never really
challenged by China as they had the game in control for the most part throughout. Things were quite different on Day 2 as they came out slow and fell behind by 17 points. But Canada turned the game around and used a 28-2 third quarter run to finish with a 19-point victory - for an impressive 38-point swing.
Canada will next face Germany for first place in the group.
FIBA