Georgian basketball team defeats Spain #1TVSPORT

Georgia national basketball team defeated Spain national basketball team 91–89 in overtime to conclude the first phase of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification.

The game, played before a packed crowd at Korkia-Jorjikias Arena, saw Georgia complete a remarkable comeback after trailing by as many as 22 points.

Georgia fell behind 14–32 in the opening quarter and faced a daunting deficit throughout the first half. Led by captain Tornike Shengelia, the hosts gradually closed the gap.

With 2:27 remaining in regulation, Shengelia cut the deficit to three points at 76–79, before Marcquise Reed tied the game at 81–81 with a three-pointer. Shengelia then gave Georgia its first lead of the night, 83–81, with 23 seconds left. Spain’s Jaime Pradilla scored inside in the closing seconds to force overtime.

Spain opened the extra period with a five-point advantage, but Shengelia responded once again, eventually reaching 37 points—setting a new Georgia national team record for points scored in an official international game. The previous record of 36 points was jointly held by Zaza Pachulia and Michael Dixon.

With 19 seconds remaining in overtime, Reed scored the decisive basket to put Georgia ahead 91–89, sealing a memorable victory.

Georgia advances to the second qualifying round with a 2–4 record. Spain finishes the first stage unbeaten at 6–0, while Ukraine national basketball team progresses with a 4–2 record. Denmark men’s national basketball team, which failed to register a win, has been eliminated.

In the next stage, the top three teams from Group A will face the qualifiers from Group B, which includes Greece, Montenegro, Portugal, and Romania. The second round of qualifiers will be played in August and November 2026 and February 2027.