Istanbul, Turkey – The Turkish Women’s National Basketball Team, known as “Potanın Perileri” (The Daughters of the Basket), secured a crucial 75-67 victory over Japan on Friday in the FIBA 2026 Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament. Playing on home court in Istanbul, the Turkish team demonstrated resilience and determination to earn their second win in Group C.
The game, held at the Turkcell Basketbol Gelişim Merkezi, saw a back-and-forth battle with both teams trading leads throughout the contest. Japan initially established control in the first quarter, capitalizing on their mid-range shooting to build a 20-16 advantage. Though, the Turkish team responded effectively, utilizing a combination of inside play and perimeter shooting to stay within striking distance.
The second quarter witnessed a renewed effort from the Turkish side, particularly in the paint. Alperi Onar’s layup at the 12-minute mark tied the game at 20-20. Despite a surge of three-pointers from Japan, led by a Yamamoto three-pointer that extended their lead to 41-30, Turkey managed to close the gap before halftime, trailing 41-35.
The turning point came early in the third quarter. Trailing by six at the break, Turkey exploded with an 11-0 run, spearheaded by Beren Burke’s post play, to grab a 46-41 lead. Japan answered with a 9-0 run of their own, fueled by three-pointers, regaining the lead at 50-46. A crucial three-pointer from Sevgi Uzun then sparked a 6-0 run for Turkey, putting them back in front 52-50. Alperi Onar’s basket sent Turkey into the final quarter with a narrow 55-54 lead.
The fourth quarter proved to be a tense affair, with both teams battling fiercely for every possession. Turkey capitalized on the energy of the home crowd, going on a 6-0 run, highlighted by an Alperi Onar layup, to extend their lead to 61-54. Japan attempted to close the gap with scores in the paint, but the Turkish team remained composed and executed effectively on both ends of the court. Turkey held on for the 75-67 victory.
Beren Burke was named the player of the match, delivering a dominant performance with 25 points and 9 rebounds. Her performance was instrumental in securing the win for Turkey.
This victory is particularly significant as Turkey aims to qualify for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup. The team now prepares for a challenging match against Australia on Sunday, March 15th, at 8:30 PM local time. They will conclude their group stage play on Tuesday, March 17th, against Hungary. The top three teams from Group C, along with the continental champions, will earn a spot in the World Cup.
Elsewhere in Group C, Australia defeated Hungary 71-58, and Canada overpowered Argentina with a decisive 75-41 victory. These results further intensify the competition within the group as teams vie for qualification.
Turkey Hosting the Qualifiers
Turkey is one of four host nations for the FIBA 2026 Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament, alongside China, Puerto Rico, and France. The tournament is designed to determine the 11 teams that will join the host nation and the continental champions – Belgium (Europe), Australia (Asia), Nigeria (Africa), and the USA (Americas) – at the 2026 World Cup.
Wuhan (China) is hosting Group A, San Juan (Puerto Rico) is hosting Group B, Istanbul (Turkey) is hosting Group C, and Villeurbanne (France) is hosting Group D. The qualifying matches will continue until March 17th. The top three teams from Groups A, B, and C will advance to the 2026 World Cup.
The FIBA 2026 Women’s World Cup will be held in Berlin, Germany, with matches taking place at the Berlin Arena and Max Schmeling Hall.
Group Breakdown: FIBA 2026 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers
Group A: Mali, South Sudan, Brazil, Belgium, Czech Republic, China (Host)
Group B: New Zealand, Puerto Rico (Host), USA, Senegal, Italy, Spain
Group C: Hungary, Turkey (Host), Argentina, Australia, Canada, Japan
Group D: Colombia, Philippines, Germany, South Korea, France (Host), Nigeria
Potanın Perileri’s win against Japan marks a significant step towards their goal of competing on the world stage. With two crucial games remaining, the Turkish team will look to build on this momentum and secure their place in the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup.
Next up for Turkey is a challenging matchup against Australia on Sunday. Fans can follow the game for live updates and results on the FIBA website and through official team channels.
What are your thoughts on Turkey’s performance? Share your predictions for their upcoming games in the comments below!
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