Basketball
Third-Place Preview: Will Spain or Germany take the last podium step?
BERLIN (Germany) - The home fans will be in full voice once again inside the Berlin Arena in what promises to be an absorbing FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Third-Place game.
Both teams met on the opening day of the competition, with Spain completing a one-sided 30 point success against their rivals.
They are bidding to step onto the podium for the fourth time in five editions, having won bronze in 2010 and 2018, either side of being runners-up in 2014.
As for Germany, they hadn't even made the Quarter-Finals previously. They will look to continue breaking new ground, with a bronze potentially the cherry on the cake in terms of what has already been a sensational and landmark tournament as hosts - despite the worrying start.
Key Matchup
Iyana Martin has been incredible for Spain as their primary scorer and in many cases, their leading performer. It's likely she could be well placed to shoot her nation to glory on current form.
It will be interesting to see who tries to close her down. Surely it will be Alexis Peterson or Britta Daub and they have a big role to fulfil for the hosts.
Stats Don't Lie
Both teams are relatively well matched across most categories, although Germany are still prospering from huge bench scoring and an average of 42 points per game compared to 26.2 for Spain. They also hold the advantage in on the glass with 45.3 boards and 39.2 for their opponents.
Spain score 17 points per outing off turnovers compared to 9.8 for the hosts and Spain will have noticed how Germany struggled against France and spilled the ball too much.
The Killer Questions
Obviously it will be interesting if the first day meeting and huge gulf between the teams will have an impact - or not? Spain made a huge 14 triples from 28 attempts that day and it was pivotal.
Also, can Germany recover in the backcourt and mentally from the 24 turnovers against France and ensure that ball protection is back as a priority?
Recent Game History
The teams played each other on the first day of competition inside Berlin Arena and Spain stormed their way to an 83-53 victory.
Spain also won on German soil last year at FIBA Women's EuroBasket when they racked up a 79-60 success in Hamburg.
FIBA
