Istanbul, Türkiye – Argentina’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup took a significant hit on Saturday, falling 92-81 in overtime to Hungary at the Turkcell Basketball Development Centre. The loss, part of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament in Istanbul, leaves the Argentinian team with a challenging path to reach the tournament in Germany.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, ultimately decided in the extra period after a dramatic finish to regulation. Hungary outscored Argentina 15-4 in overtime, capitalizing on momentum gained from a late equalizer. The final scoreline doesn’t fully capture how closely contested this match was for nearly 45 minutes.
Argentina started strong, taking a 16-13 lead in the first quarter. However, Hungary responded in the second, edging ahead 21-23. The third and fourth quarters continued the seesaw battle, with both teams trading baskets. Argentina led 20-18 after the third, and the fourth ended tied at 20-23, forcing the overtime period. The complete quarter breakdown was: Argentina 16-13, 21-23, 20-18, 20-23, and 4-15.
Leading the charge for Argentina was veteran guard Melisa Gretter, who showcased her all-around game with 24 points and 7 assists. Florencia Chagas also provided a significant offensive spark, contributing 19 points with effective shooting from beyond the arc. For Hungary, Réka Lelik proved to be a dominant force, contributing across the stat sheet, while Virág Takács-Kiss controlled the boards, grabbing an impressive 16 rebounds and making a crucial impact in the paint.
The Argentinian squad, coached by Gregorio Martínez, appeared to be on the verge of securing a vital win, but struggled to contain Hungary’s late-game execution. Virag Takacs-Kiss’s clutch basket with just three seconds remaining in the fourth quarter forced the game into overtime. That momentum clearly carried over into the extra period, as Hungary seized control and ultimately secured the victory.
This defeat marks Argentina’s third loss in the qualifying tournament, alongside a single win. Their current record significantly complicates their chances of reaching the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Germany. The team now faces an uphill battle and will need favorable results in remaining games, including a crucial upcoming match against Japan, and potentially rely on other tournament outcomes to secure a qualifying spot.
The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament in Istanbul is a critical stage for teams vying for a place in the prestigious global competition. The tournament features some of the top women’s basketball nations, all battling for limited qualifying spots. The intensity of the competition underscores the importance of every game, and Argentina’s loss to Hungary highlights the challenges they now face.
The game, attended by 152 spectators, was officiated by Julio ANAYA (PAN), Wissam ZEIN (SYR), and Nicolas ZIVIERI (BRA), with Guilherme FREDDI LOTUFO serving as the Commissioner/Technical Delegate. The match was also broadcast, offering fans around the world the opportunity to follow the action. Full game statistics and box scores are available on the FIBA website.
Argentina will need to regroup quickly and focus on their remaining games. Their performance against Japan will be pivotal, and they will need to demonstrate resilience and tactical adjustments to overcome their current challenges. The team’s ability to execute offensively and defend effectively will be crucial in their pursuit of a World Cup berth.
Fans can stay updated on the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournaments through Courtside 1891 and other official FIBA channels.
The next match for Argentina is a must-win against Japan. The outcome of that game will significantly impact their chances of progressing further in the tournament and realizing their World Cup dreams.
