Mali imposes its physicality and surprises Spain: 82-73

Mali burst the bubble of euphoria that Spain had inflated with their overwhelming victory in the Women’s World Cup opener against host Germany. The African team defeated the squad (82-73) with a very physical and mobile game that made Miguel Méndez’s group unrecognizable. That fresh and joyful basketball from the debut disappeared, resulting in a defeat that toughens the path in Berlin. Spain must wait for this afternoon’s result between Germany and Japan, the other group rivals, to do some calculations that in any case involve beating the Asian team on Monday (17:50) in search of the top spot that avoids the preliminary round before the quarterfinals.

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The team showed its worst face after barely having 16 hours of rest between the end of the game against Germany and the match against Mali, a consequence of a tournament concentrated in just 10 days. A bad situation against a team like the African one, which demanded strong legs and quick hands. Spain failed in that effort as much as in the game. As a reflection, a record of 42 missed field goals and a fatal sequence in three-pointers: 4 of 22. Without a collective antidote, Iyana Martín shone (20 points, five rebounds, and four assists) against a Mali led by Sika Koné (19 points and 10 rebounds), the usual MVP power forward in the Endesa Women’s League.

The script twisted early. Due to fatigue or because the opponent seemed less prestigious, Spain struggled to get going and did not score the first basket in play until after two minutes, a combination between Iyana and Conde that the forward converted off the backboard. Although the team was not the same that had overwhelmed the hosts. They stumbled in shooting and passing, slower and less precise, while Mali’s runs gave the African team an initial advantage (8-3) that Méndez tried to stop with an early timeout to reset. All the shots that flew in on Friday were now spit out by the rim (first five three-pointers missed). The coach began to distribute loads and minutes, and Gustafson led that second unit to wake up the Spanish team. The team began to contain Mali’s fast transitions and short attacks and to move the ball with a bit more speed. There was work ahead at the Max Schmeling Halle (19-17 at the end of the first quarter).

The recovery had to start by rebuilding a defense that had conceded too much. The team struggled to stop that basic formula of rebound and long pass that Mali exploited to launch a sprinter and attack the Spanish basket. The solution was to sharpen the wrist and not allow that fast-break opportunity, but the percentages of the players in red were very low (22 missed field goals in the first two quarters) and passing inaccuracies were common. The three-pointer was a drama: 0 of 9 at halftime. The reaction came from Iyana and her connection with Awa to catch a minimal lead (32-34) against a very physical African team in a very close duel.

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Spain suffered greatly to stop the charges and shoulder clashes of the Mali players. Alicia Flórez collided fearlessly, earning minutes on the court instead of Cazorla and finally making the first three-pointer after 11 consecutive misses by the team. Gustafson also replaced Fam, who was off this time. Conde, a dagger against Germany, was outmatched on defense. Her face on the bench symbolized Spain’s state of concern. Mali’s three-pointers that Méndez’s group missed were going in, and they earned good positions in the paint. Spain was unable to contain the bleeding inside (61-48).

The team was on the ropes. No sign of Awa Fam, unrecognizable, error-prone in passing, under the basket, and even in free throws. The center showed she is only 20 years old and lacks a bit of concentration to overcome those game slumps and not blame herself for mistakes. Mali did not forgive a single one, very hot from outside shooting and with good ball movement to always find a free player. Despite Iyana Martín’s final resistance, the gap was an ocean: 73-57. Spain could no longer save it, now forced to beat Japan on Monday and do the math to be first in the group. The Spanish point guard summed it up: “We did not know how to adapt or prepare for such a physical game, we were not up to the task.”

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Matches and results of the Women’s World Cup in Berlin.