China Women’s Basketball Secures Back-to-Back Wins Over Brazil in Changsha Warm-Up Games
In a pair of tightly contested warm-up games ahead of the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifiers, the Chinese women’s national team defeated Brazil twice in Changsha, Hunan Province. The victories came on March 4 and March 6, 2026, serving as critical preparation for the upcoming World Cup qualifying tournament scheduled for March 11-17 in Wuhan.
The first encounter on March 4 saw China edge out Brazil 74-69 in overtime after blowing a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter. According to official reports, China led 39-26 at halftime and extended their advantage to 15 points entering the final period. However, Brazil mounted a fierce comeback, outscoring China 24-9 in the fourth quarter to force overtime. In the extra period, China stabilized their performance to outscore Brazil 10-5 and secure the win.
Key contributors for China in the March 4 game included Wang Siyu, who led all scorers with 21 points, Liu Yutong with 12 points and six rebounds, Yang Shuyu with 12 points, five rebounds and three assists, and Zhang Ziyu with 10 points and four rebounds. Four Chinese players reached double figures in scoring during the contest.
Just two days later on March 6, China completed the sweep with a 72-66 victory over Brazil in the second warm-up game held at the same venue in Changsha. This victory marked China’s second consecutive win over Brazil in the warm-up series, giving them valuable momentum heading into the World Cup qualifiers.
The back-to-back wins hold particular significance as China prepares to compete in Group A of the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifying tournament in Wuhan. Belgium has already secured qualification for the World Cup proper, leaving China to battle Brazil, Czech Republic, Mali, and South Sudan for the remaining three qualifying spots from the group.
These warm-up games provided the Chinese coaching staff with valuable opportunities to assess player combinations, test defensive strategies, and evaluate offensive execution under game conditions. The ability to win close contests, particularly after overcoming fourth-quarter deficits as seen in the March 4 game, demonstrates the team’s resilience and mental toughness – qualities that will be essential in the high-stakes qualifying matches to come.
As the Chinese women’s basketball team shifts focus to the World Cup qualifying tournament in Wuhan, the lessons learned from these Changsha warm-up games will inform their preparation. The team’s ability to close out games and maintain composure under pressure, demonstrated in both victories over Brazil, will be crucial as they aim to secure one of the three available qualifying spots from their group.
For continuing coverage of the Chinese women’s basketball team’s journey through the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifying process, fans are encouraged to follow official team updates and share their thoughts on the team’s prospects.
