Montenegro Women edged out Bulgaria Women 70-66 in a tightly contested Europe Women’s Basketball Championship qualifier played on March 18, 2026. The home victory was crucial for Montenegro's qualification hopes, secured by a strong defensive stand in the final minutes to hold off a persistent Bulgarian challenge. The match began with Montenegro establishing an early lead through efficient inside scoring, but Bulgaria responded with a series of three-pointers to keep the score close throughout the first half. The third quarter saw several lead changes as both teams traded baskets, setting up a tense finale. With the score tied entering the final three minutes, Montenegro's experience proved decisive as they executed key stops and converted critical free throws down the stretch to seal the four-point win. A focus point was the performance of Montenegro's frontcourt, which dominated the rebounding battle and provided crucial second-chance points. The result provides Montenegro with valuable points in the qualifying group table, strengthening their position, while Bulgaria will rue missed opportunities in a game they were competitive in until the very end. The Montenegrin coach praised her team's resilience in a must-win situation, while the Bulgarian staff highlighted the positive steps taken despite the narrow defeat. The starting lineups featured the core players for both national sides, with Montenegro's veterans controlling the tempo when it mattered most.