Epic upset as magical Mali sink Spain

BERLIN (Germany) - Mali are celebrating their greatest ever win on the international stage after they tearing down FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup frontrunners Spain. Having went winless at the 2022 edition in Sydney and having only won once previously at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup against fellow African side Senegal in 2010, this was a landmark moment.

Only their second ever victory in tournament history, this 82-73 success was Mali's first against European opposition. It came against last year's FIBA Women's EuroBasket runners-up and a Spanish team praised for a devastating performance and 30 point win against host nation Germany on Day 1.

Needless to say, few saw this coming as reflected in the results of the Fan's Game Predictor powered by 1XBET.

Perhaps most impressively, Mali picked themselves up from only just being squeezed out 102-97 by Japan in their own opener. Placed 18th in the FIBA World Ranking for Women, presented by Nike, there are 12 places between Mali and their opponents, but anyone watching the game would not have realized that.

Mali's aggressive game plan to be relentless in pushing the ball and looking for fast break opportunities paid dividends. Spain were unable to find the transition defense need to turn off this highly productive tap. Then the African nation lit it up from long-range to snap the contest open. Having went 1 of 9 from downtown, they caught fire to convert 6 of 7 during the third quarter.

Sika Kone was the star once again for Mali. Named TCL Player of the Game, she finished with a stunning haul of 19 points and 10 rebounds.

She also made history too, with Kone becoming the first player to ever register five consecutive double-doubles at the Women's World Cup.

Kone now has 6 double-doubles in across all Women's World Cup, cracking into the Top 10 list of all-time.

Most double-doubles in Women's World Cup and longest streak*

*Since 1994 ** Active in Women's World Cup 2026

FIBA