Mali stunned Serbia 72-70 in a thrilling FIBA U19 World Cup opener. With clutch plays from Bagayoko, Traore, and Doumbia, the West Africans made history against one of Europe's traditional powerhouses.
Last Updated on
June 28, 2025
.jpg)
The West African side leaned on grit, speed, and timely execution to outlast one of Europe's elite youth programs.
Serbia opened the contest with a commanding 7-0 run, flexing early control through crisp execution and physicality. Sekou Bagayoko broke Mali's drought with a three-pointer, which sparked belief and shifted the tone. Youssouf Traore followed with a basket inside, but Marko Tofoski kept Serbia ahead from the free-throw line.
Mali's breakthrough came midway through the first quarter when Bagayoko knocked down another three off a clean Harouna Sangare assist. That make ignited an 8-0 run, giving Mali an 18-11 advantage. The quarter ended with Mali holding a confident 24-14 lead, punctuated by defensive intensity and second-chance efforts.
Serbia responded with urgency in the second quarter, tightening its defence and limiting Mali's offensive flow. Sangare opened the frame with a score, but Serbia answered with a 14-4 run that slashed the lead to two. Traore and Ladji Coulibaly tried to stretch the gap, but Serbian guards Jovanovic and Kostic kept pressing.
In the final minute of the half, Serbia took a brief lead via Jovanovic's free throws. But Traore answered with a crucial three-pointer that reclaimed Mali's advantage at 40-38. Milos Sojic knocked down a free throw just before the break to pull Serbia within one at halftime.
After the break, Mali struck first again with a quick 4-0 burst to lead 43-39, playing with renewed energy. Serbia steadied themselves and tied the game at 51 on a Dzepina fast-break finish. Dzepina followed that with a triple to put Serbia ahead 54-51, giving them momentum.
Mali refused to fade despite Serbia's surge. As the third quarter wound down, Doumbia delivered a clutch layup that tied the game at 59. The moment reinvigorated the bench and created a spark as they entered the final 10 minutes.
The fourth quarter unfolded as a battle of nerves, with both teams trading stops more than scores. Mali managed just 13 points, but its defense limited Serbia to only 11 in the frame. With 70 seconds left, Serbia held a 70-69 lead after Drezgic's free throws, forcing Mali to call a timeout.
Out of the break, a clutch Coulibaly block on Drezgic triggered his fast break dunk. Doumbia iced the game for Mali, knocking down one of his two free throws to close out the win and to get the West African's FIBA U19 World Cup off to a phenomenal start.
Neither team excelled from distance, with Mali shooting 18.75% from three and Serbia finishing at 20.83%. But Mali's 33 bench points and 19 second-chance points powered the win.
