Spain Names Mariona Ortiz in 14-Player Roster for EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers
Spain’s women’s national basketball team will return to the floor on November 7, featuring Casademont Zaragoza point guard Mariona Ortiz among 14 players selected for the opening qualifying window for the 2027 FIBA EuroBasket. Head coach Miguel Méndez named his squad following the team’s bronze-medal finish at the World Cup in September, setting up a demanding three-game slate in Group J against República Checa, Bulgaria, and Croacia.
Palacio de los Deportes de Oviedo Hosts Czech Republic Opener
The qualifying campaign opens on Tuesday, November 10, at the Palacio de los Deportes de Oviedo. Spain will face the Czech Republic starting at 20.30 local time. The venue in Oviedo marks the first stop in a compressed ten-day international window that requires rigorous squad management.
Trip to Samokov Follows for Bulgaria Match
The national team travels to face Bulgaria on Saturday, November 14. Tipoff is set for 18.00 local time at the Arena SamElyon in Samokov. The fixture represents the second leg of the November window before the squad concludes the block.
Poreč Encounter with Croatia Closes November Window
Spain rounds out its three-game November schedule on Tuesday, November 17, against Croatia. The match tips off at 18.00 local time at the Zatika Sports Centre in Porec. These fixtures form part of the qualification phase leading to the continental tournament.
Group J Standings and the Path to EuroBasket 2027
Twenty-four national teams compete in the qualification phase for EuroBasket 2027, which is divided into two windows: November and February 7–17. Of those 24 teams, 12 will qualify. The tournament takes place June 16–27, 2027, across four co-hosting nations: Belgium, Finland, Lithuania, and Sweden. Those four hosts already hold automatic berths.
Miguel Méndez Details Roster Strategy and Squad Rotation
Head coach Miguel Méndez explained that the three-game schedule within a single ten-day window necessitates a flexible approach to team selection. “For the first time we are going to play three games in the same qualification window, in about ten days. We can make a different squad list in each game and for that reason out of these 14 players there will be no cuts,” Méndez stated. “These are three very important matches to qualify for the Eurobasket.” Méndez added that the staff must balance competitive goals with player welfare given demanding club calendars: “Our objectives, as always, are to qualify, win every game and take care of the players who are immersed with their respective clubs in various competitions, something that we will take very much into account in each match.” He also noted that the selection remains largely continuous while acknowledging that some athletes missed out due to various commitments.
Worth a look
