LAUSANNE (Switzerland) - Mali did not wait long to make a major statement at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025 as they shocked Serbia 72-70 for their first-time victory over the European powerhouse at any competition - men or women, junior or senior level.
Sekou Bagayoko scored 21 points as the Africans pulled a massive upset to start their Group A play. Ladji Coulibaly added 6 points, 7 rebounds and 4 blocks, also coming up with big plays late, including a layup, blocked shot, steal, and breakaway dunk to make it 71-70 with 43 seconds to play.
Ibrahim Doumbia converted a free throw with 10.0 seconds left for the win.
"We believe in ourselves. We came here to win. We are not afraid of anybody. Not even America."
Mali had opened a 10-point lead in the first half and led just 40-39 at halftime. The score was 59-59 after 30 minutes. It remained tight in the final frame as well.
The Africans prevailed through adversity as starting point guard Harouna Sangare went down with a left foot injury midway through the second quarter and did not return.
"We are a family. If someone gets hurt, someone else will step up," Doumbia said about having Sangare unavailable.
Most of the global basketball community was surprised given that Serbia received 94.7 percent of the votes in the Game Predictor.
Mali famously reached the Final of the FIBA U19 World Cup 2019, knocking off France in the Semi-Finals and then losing to United States in the title game. Mali opened that tournament with an upset over Latvia. The run to second place remains the greatest result for an African nation at a global event.
The African side had lost their only two games against Serbia - 70-47 at the FIBA U19 World Cup 2007 and 89-77 at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2018. Both of those games came in the group stage.
Mali and Serbia have never played in a senior men's competition. The countries met once in women's basketball, Serbia winning 81-68 in the group stage of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022.
Mali will next face New Zealand on Day 2 and then after an off day they finish group play with a game against Argentina. Serbia take on Argentina next and will go against New Zealand in their final game
FIBA