Overview
- Japan opened the tournament with a 102–97 win over Mali and set two World Cup records when Saki Hayashi made nine three-pointers and the team hit 20 triples.
- Host Germany was routed 53–83 by Spain, managing just 18 of 62 field-goal attempts (29 percent), a defeat that all but ends its realistic chance of winning the group.
- Satou Sabally will miss the entire home World Cup because of lingering concussion effects, and Nyara Sabally’s availability is being assessed day-to-day by coach Olaf Lange.
- Spain’s unexpected loss to Mali after beating Germany has changed Group A calculations and increased pressure on Germany’s scheduled match with Japan at the Max-Schmeling-Halle, televised free on ProSieben MAXX and streamed on Joyn.
- The tournament’s format raises the stakes for every pool game: only first place advances straight to the quarterfinals while second and third must play a qualification round, a structure that makes early upsets and health issues immediately decisive.