Argentina - New Zealand 72-77
New Zealand fell behind by 16 points to Argentina in the first quarter but won the game 77-72. Jackson Ball (191-G-2008) poured in 17 points to lead the way.

Mali - Serbia 72-70
Mali did not wait long to make a major statement at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025 as they shocked Serbia 72-70 for their first-time victory over the European powerhouse at any competition - men or women, junior or senior level. Sekou Bagayoko (190-PG-2008) scored 21 points as the Africans pulled a massive upset to start their Group A play. Ladji Coulibaly (209-C/F-2006) added 6 points, 7 rebounds and 4 blocks, also coming up with big plays late, including a layup, blocked shot, steal, and breakaway dunk to make it 71-70 with 43 seconds to play. Ibrahim Doumbia converted a free throw with 10.0 seconds left for the win. Mali had opened a 10-point lead in the first half and led just 40-39 at halftime. The score was 59-59 after 30 minutes. It remained tight in the final frame as well. The Africans prevailed through adversity as starting point guard Harouna Sangare went down with a left foot injury midway through the second quarter and did not return. "We are a family. If someone gets hurt, someone else will step up," Doumbia said about having Sangare unavailable. Most of the global basketball community was surprised given that Serbia received 94.7 percent of the votes in the Game Predictor. Mali famously reached the Final of the FIBA U19 World Cup 2019, knocking off France in the Semi-Finals and then losing to United States in the title game. Mali opened that tournament with an upset over Latvia. The run to second place remains the greatest result for an African nation at a global event. The African side had lost their only two games against Serbia - 70-47 at the FIBA U19 World Cup 2007 and 89-77 at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2018. Both of those games came in the group stage. Mali and Serbia have never played in a senior men's competition. The countries met once in women's basketball, Serbia winning 81-68 in the group stage of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022. Mali will next face New Zealand on Day 2 and then after an off day they finish group play with a game against Argentina. Serbia take on Argentina next and will go against New Zealand in their final game.

China - Canada 72-80
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 Sinan Huan (213-C-2007). Efeosa Oliogu (198-SF-2006) 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.

Slovenia - Germany 68-75
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 (206-F/C-2006), 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 Schroeder 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 Mueller, 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.

Jordan - Dominican Republic 69-79
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.

Switzerland - Israel 77-102
Israel could not have imagined a better start to the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025 as they collected a victory in their first-ever game in the history of the competition. In a battle of nations playing at the FIBA U19 World Cup for the first time, Israel defeated host nation Switzerland 77-102 in their opener in Group C. Omer Mayer (192-G-2006) poured in 24 points and Ariel Sela collected 16 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. The game was close throughout and Israel were ahead 23-22 after 10 minutes. There were already 13 lead changes in the first 14 minutes of the game before Israel had a big surge at the end of the first half and led 50-39 at the break. Switzerland tried to get back into the game, spurred on by the vocal crowd as the Lausanne Arena, but Israel did not let the hosts threaten the rest of the way. "It feels great to get a win like this. Everybody was involved, especially in the second half," Mayer said after the game. "Maybe we made history on paper - statistically this is our first win - but we dont care. We just want more." Israel will look to make it 2-0 in the group on Day 2 when they take on Jordan while Switzerland will be facing Dominican Republic.

Cameroon - France 50-75
France needed time but eventually took over against debutants Cameroon in winning 75-50 in Group D. Talis Soulhac (189-PG-2006) scored 16 points and Marc-Owen Fodzo Dada tallied 15 points and 9 rebounds for the winners.

USA - Australia 88-73
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 (206-G/F-2007) led the USA with an inconspicuous 18 points - hitting 12 of 15 free throws - while Koa Peat (203-F-2007) 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.

Source: FIBA