GPB to broadcast Georgia’s World Cup qualifier against Portugal in Matosinhos #1TVSPORT
The Georgian national basketball team faces Portugal tonight in their latest FIBA World Cup qualifying encounter. Tip-off is scheduled for 21:50 Tbilisi time, with live coverage broadcast on GPB First Channel, First Channel Sport, and Georgian Radio.
Both sides enter the clash with identical records (4 wins, 3 losses) and come off victories in the previous round: Georgia thrashed Montenegro 101–74, while Portugal secured a remarkable 95–89 away win against Spain. Consequently, the outcome of tonight’s fixture in Matosinhos, near Porto, carries immense weight for both teams.
Pundits give Georgia a slight edge, though they emphasise that in a contest this tight, a single three-pointer or rebound could swing the result. With two evenly matched teams set to battle, a thrilling contest awaits.
Asked at the pre-match press conference about claims from the Portuguese camp that they intend to beat Georgia, Head Coach Aleksandar Džikić offered a succinct response: “The game will speak for itself.”
He added: “Portugal are a super-aggressive side and winning here will be tough. We must not forget they have an NBA big man in their ranks. However, we are coming to Porto with one objective: to win.”
Portugal’s roster features Boston Celtics centre Neemias Queta, who posted 16 points and 9 rebounds against Spain. Even without him in earlier fixtures, the Portuguese side proved to be a cohesive and well-drilled unit.
Portugal coach Mário Gomes remains cautious ahead of the clash with Georgia: “Spain are stronger than us and boast a far superior domestic league, yet at that specific moment, we were the better team. Georgia have also beaten Spain and possess their own NBA talent. We have to prove on the court that we are the stronger side tonight.”
Portugal Squad:
0. Diogo Brito
3. Ricardo Monteiro
5. Travante Williams
6. Francisco Amarante
9. Diogo Ventura
11. Miguel Queiroz
12. André Cruz
14. Daniel Relvão
17. Anthony da Silva
28. Rafael Lisboa
34. Rúben Prey
88. Neemias Queta
Head Coach: Mário Gomes
Head-to-Head Record
The “Crusaders” have met Portugal six times in total, holding five victories against a single defeat, which came at their very first meeting back in the 1990s.
Their most memorable encounter took place in 2014. Portugal mounted a commanding early lead on home soil, pulling ahead by 23 points.
However, Georgia staged a remarkable comeback to secure a dramatic 91–90 victory in overtime, powered by 25 points from Zaza Pachulia and 20 from Tornike Shengelia.
Group I Standings
Position Team Pld W L +/- Pts
1 Spain 7 5 2 +93 12
2 Ukraine 7 5 2 +51 12
3 Portugal 7 4 3 +42 11
4 Georgia 7 4 3 +15 11
5 Montenegro 7 4 3 -50 11
6 Greece 7 3 4 +19 10
Upcoming Fixtures
31 August 2026
Greece vs Spain
Portugal vs Georgia
Montenegro vs Ukraine
26 November 2026
Montenegro vs Spain
Portugal vs Ukraine
Greece vs Georgia
29 November 2026
Spain vs Greece
Ukraine vs Montenegro
Georgia vs Portugal
26 February 2027
Portugal vs Spain
Greece vs Ukraine
Montenegro vs Georgia
1 March 2027
Spain vs Montenegro
Ukraine vs Portugal
Georgia vs Greece