A global sensation in Berlin! For their second group stage game in Group A, Mali's female Eagles signed one of the greatest achievements in the history of African basketball by bringing down the powerhouse team of Spain (82-73). Looking back at a masterful and thoroughly deserved masterpiece performance.
A Clash of Titans and a Historic Third Quarter
From the opening minutes inside the electric atmosphere of the Max-Schmeling-Halle, both teams went blow for blow, with Mali leading 19-17 at the end of the first quarter. Although Spain went into the locker room at halftime holding a narrow lead (34-32), the fate of the match completely flipped right after the break.
Completely transformed and fueled by red-hot outside shooting (40.9% from three-point range across the game), the Malian squad stifled Spain. They inflicted a crushing 31-19 run during the third act, taking total control of the scoreboard and never looking back.
Sika Koné, the Queen of Berlin 👑
While this success was highly collective, one player literally dominated the floor: Sika Koné. Named the Player of the Game, the Malian forward was a permanent threat to the Spanish defense, racking up a sky-high efficiency rating of 23. On the other side, young Spanish guard Iyana Martin did everything she could with 21 points, but Mali's physical power and rebounding dominance proved to be the ultimate difference-maker.
Mali also displayed remarkable composure at the free-throw line during crunch time, shooting a superb 81.3% from the stripe to decisively lock up the victory.
Mali Writes Its History
This victory (82-73) against one of the dominant powerhouse nations in global basketball is not just a single-day fluke; it sends a loud message to the entire basketball world. Mali belongs in Berlin to look the top teams straight in the eye. The Eagles have completely relaunched themselves into the race for the knockout phases, and the rest of the tournament promises to be thrilling!