*This content was translated by AI.
The South Korean team under Yeo Ja-nong-gu (CEO) lost to France, a strong favorite for the championship, but left a powerful impression on the global stage with their fierce performance in the early stages of the match.
South Korea lost 69-95 to France in the group stage of the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, held on the 6th (Korea time) at Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin, Germany.
Judging solely by the final score, it was a crushing defeat with a 26-point margin. However, the content of the early part of the game was entirely different.
South Korea aggressively pushed against France from the first quarter, a favorite to win and "Europe's strongest." France, ranked second in the FIBA world rankings after the United States, is a global powerhouse that won a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
However, South Korea was not intimidated at all. With quick passes and active movement, they shook up the French defense and continued to score from daring long-range shots. It was a game flow that left France no choice but to be flustered.
South Korea finished the first quarter leading by seven points with a score of 31-24.
In particular, the 31st points recorded in the first quarter were especially significant. It was the most points ever allowed by France in a single quarter at the Women's Basketball World Cup.
FIBA also highlighted this record separately. FIBA stated, "South Korea burst into flames from the start of the game and scored 31 points in the first quarter," adding that "this is the most points ever allowed by France in a single quarter at the World Cup."
France's local observers expressed surprise at South Korea's performance. France's leading sports outlet L'Equipe assessed that "the final score margin of 26 points fails to accurately reflect the intense flow of the early stages of the match."
He added that France struggled from the start of the game against Korea's distinctive mobile and somewhat unfamiliar organized basketball, noting that Korea demonstrated impressive ability to shoot quickly and successfully even from long distances.
He also explained that "France tried to regain control of the game's tempo," while adding that "South Korea's counterattack was fierce."
Actual records also fully revealed Korea's unique organized basketball style.
South Korea recorded assists on no fewer than 24 of the 25th successful field goals made that day, meaning most points were generated through coordinated plays with teammates. The team also converted 12 of its 31 three-point attempts, achieving a high success rate of 38.7%.
In particular, Heo Ye-eun poured fire from the outside. Heo made four of her five three-point attempts to record 12 points and five assists. She led Korea's early surge by hitting three three-pointers in the first quarter alone. Lee Hae-ran (Samsung Life) also scored 12 points, and Lee So-hee (BNK) added 10 points. Kang Yi-seul (Woori Bank) recorded eight points.
However, France's strength was no small matter. After regrouping at the end of the first quarter, France significantly increased its defensive intensity. While South Korea scored 31 points in the first quarter alone, they were held to just six points in the second quarter. France took a 43-37 lead into halftime.
The gap widened further in the second half. France poured in 33 points in the third quarter alone, while South Korea managed only 15. Ultimately, the balance of the game tipped sharply in France's favor.
In France, Marin Johanes led the team with 17 points, including four three-pointers. He boosted the momentum by making long-range three-point shots from near the half-line. Dominique Malonga also contributed 14 points and five rebounds, anchoring the paint with a dunk shot.
France has secured back-to-back wins in the group stage with this victory, effectively sealing their spot in the quarterfinals. In the first match, they decisively defeated Hungary 99-53.
South Korea recorded one win and one loss. After defeating the "African powerhouse" Nigeria 99-81 in the first match to start the tournament on a high note, South Korea maintained its position near the top of Group B following France. Hungary also holds a record of one win and one loss, while Nigeria has two losses so far.
A total of 16 countries will participate in this tournament, divided into four groups for the group stage. The top team from each group advances directly to the quarterfinals, while the second and third-place teams compete in a play-off to determine which of them joins the quarterfinals.
South Korea will challenge for a spot in the women's basketball World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since the 2010 tournament, facing Hungary in their third group stage match.
<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>
*This content was translated by AI.
