A false fire alarm inadvertently sounded in the elevator of the hotel housing several Women's Basketball World Cup teams early on Tuesday morning in Berlin, prompting an immediate evacuation of players and staff.
Early Morning Evacuation
The alarm was triggered just after 2 a.m., and the occupants were directed to leave the building before re‑entering approximately one hour later; the American squad, which had secured separate lodging, was untouched by the incident.
Australia head coach Sandy Brondello confirmed the alarm was accidental, describing it as a new challenge for her side, while Turkish coach Andrea Masson reported that his players managed only about three hours of sleep before the match.
Match Result
Despite the early disruption, Australia rebounded strongly to claim their first victory of the tournament, edging Turkey 87‑71 in a tightly contested game.
Australian forward Ezi Magbegor, who was among those awakened by the alarm, said the brief disturbance did not diminish the team’s focus, and the win highlighted the squad’s resilience after the early night‑time setback.