Iyana Martin guided Spain to secure the bronze medal at the women’s FIBA World Cup by defeating host Germany 81-58 on Sunday. Martin, aged 20, contributed 22 points, leading Spain to its third third-place finish in the tournament, following achievements in 2010 and 2018.
During the game, the Spanish team displayed superior speed and precision compared to Germany, who struggled with turnovers. The host team committed 18 turnovers against Spain, with six occurring in the first quarter alone. The victory led to emotional scenes as Frieda Buhner cried while Spanish players celebrated with hugs and dances at Berlin Arena.
Reflecting on the significance of the match, player Leonie Fiebich mentioned the importance of learning from the experience to improve individually and as a team. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity, emphasizing the unique and memorable nature of the event.
Germany aimed for its first medal in the tournament, having previously finished fourth in 1967 and hosting in 1998. Spain’s victory over Germany marked their second win in the competition, following a 30-point triumph in the opening match, the largest victory margin against a European team for Spain and the heaviest defeat for Germany in the tournament.
The German team demonstrated growth throughout the tournament, buoyed by enthusiastic home support. Despite an opening loss, they showcased remarkable performances against various opponents, including wins over Japan, Mali, South Korea, and European champion Belgium. Coach Olaf Lange praised the team’s progress and emphasized the need to maintain motivation for future competitions, such as EuroBasket next year and the 2028 Olympics.
Spain faced a setback with a surprise defeat by Mali but rebounded by topping their group with a victory over Japan. They secured a spot in the quarterfinals by defeating Australia but fell short against the United States in the semifinal match, which aimed for a fifth consecutive title. The final saw the U.S. team facing off against France later on Sunday.
