LAUSANNE (Switzerland) - What an opening day of action at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025 with Mali pulling off an upset for the ages, Israel making history, and top title contenders Germany and USA needing fights to win.
Well, we didn't see that coming
The first game in the Lausanne Arena saw history as Mali pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the FIBA U19 World Cup's more than four decades by beating Serbia 72-70 in Group A action.
Sekou Bagayoko scored 21 points with 4 three-pointers and Ladji Coulibaly came up with three big plays down the stretch for the Africans, who registered their first ever victory over Serbia by the country - youth or senior, men or women.
Mali may have taken second place at the FIBA U19 World Cup 2019, but they missed out on the 2023 edition and few expected this result on Day 1. Consider that the global basketball community gave Serbia 94.7 percent of the votes in the Game Predictor. Mali truly proved the world wrong.
How sweet it is
Israel couldn't have dreamt of a sweeter start to the tournament as the debutants needed only one attempt to grab their first victory in tournament history by defeating fellow first-timer host nation Switzerland 102-77.
After a back-and-forth opening 15 minutes, Israel took over the Group C game, and Omer Mayer led the way with 24 points and Ariel Sela had 16 points and 12 rebounds.
A win is a win
Germany entered the tournament as a major title contender but the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2024 champs were given a major test - which they ended up passing 75-68 over Slovenia after rallying from 13 points down in Group B action.
Thanks in large part go to Hannes Steinbach, who came up with a massive double-double of 19 points and 19 rebounds as well as the dagger dunk - a driving hammer to make it a five-point lead with 15 seconds left in the game - with FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 champion Dennis Schröder in the house.
"We knew they were going to come after us. We didn't come out ready but we picked it up in the end. We knew we had the ability and the game would come to us," said Jordan Müller, who added 12 points for the Germans.
Slovenia are a strong team but could not get revenge from their loss to the Germans in the FIBA U18 EuroBasket Semi-Finals last summer. Zak Smrekar had 21 points in the loss.
Huan Sinan joins company with Qi Zhou and Wembanyama
Canada struggled from the outside but dominated the glass in registering an 80-72 victory over China in Group B despite an impressive display of rim protection by Chinese big man Huan Sinan.
Efeosa Oliogu paced four Canadians in double figures with 17 points and the Americas side out-rebounded China 63-41. But Canada connected on just 3 of 27 three-pointers. Huan registered 8 blocks to become just the fifth player to swat that many shots since 1999 - two of whom are Qi Zhou and Victor Wembanyama.
USA never threatened by Australia
United States started their quest at reclaiming the title by grabbing a comfortable 88-73 win over Australia in Group D. The Americans pulled away in the second quarter for a 20+ lead and never were really threatened the rest of the way.
AJ Dybantsa led the USA with an inconspicuous 18 points - hitting 12 of 15 free throws - while Koa Peat tallied 17 points and 10 rebounds and Morez Johnson added a double-double of his own with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Australians got 53 points from Jacob Furphy (24) and Roman Siulepa (19) but no other player managed more than 7 points.
Other results
- The other game in Group A was just as dramatic, though not as historic. New Zealand fell behind by 16 points to Argentina in the first quarter but won the game 77-72. Jackson Ball poured in 17 points to lead the way.
- France needed time but eventually took over against debutants Cameroon in winning 75-50 in Group D. Talis Soulhac scored 16 points and Marc-Owen Fodzo Dada tallied 15 points and 9 rebounds for the winners.
- Dominican Republic used a 13-2 run to start the fourth quarter to put away Jordan 79-69 in Group C. Jordan had no answer for the terrific trio of Lucas Morillo, Fernando De Los Santos and Frank Siaca, who combined for 62 points, 29 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 6 blocks.
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