Portugal’s unbeaten qualifying run came to a crashing halt on Tuesday night as Georgia emerged with a hard-fought 98-90 victory in the FIBA Basketball World Cup European Qualifiers. Playing on home soil with a crowd desperate to see a statement win, Portugal pushed the visitors to the wire, but Georgia’s combination of size, depth, and late-game execution proved decisive.

Match Overview: A High-Scoring thriller

Both teams came into the contest knowing that every result in the European Qualifiers carries significant weight on the road to the FIBA World Cup. From the opening tip, it was clear that neither side intended to play conservatively. The first quarter set the tone with transition buckets and early three-point shooting, as Portugal used the energy of the home fans to trade blows with a physically imposing Georgia outfit.

Georgia, however, began to find their rhythm in the paint as the game progressed, turning the contest into a battle of Portugal’s perimeter creativity against the visitors’ interior dominance. By halftime, the margin remained tight, but the sense was that Georgia had more room to grow. That proved correct when the away side opened the third quarter with an 8-0 run that forced the hosts to play from behind.

Key Moments: Georgia Takes Control

• Third-quarter burst: Georgia’s quick spurt out of the locker room changed the complexity of the game, giving them the lead they would not relinquish.
• Clutch free-throw shooting: In the final two minutes, Georgia calmly converted from the stripe to keep Portugal at arm’s length.
• Portugal’s late rally: The hosts cut the deficit to four points with under a minute remaining, but costly turnovers and a pair of contested misses sealed their fate.

Tactical Story: Inside vs. Outside

Portugal’s offense flowed primarily through their guards, who consistently found openings in ball-screen actions and knocked down timely jumpers. Yet the glass told a different story. Georgia’s frontcourt repeatedly crashed the offensive boards, generating second-chance points that proved to be the difference in a game decided by eight.

Defensively, Georgia switched aggressively on the perimeter but protected the paint with multiple rim protectors, forcing Portugal into tougher mid-range looks as the clock wound down. On the other end, Georgia pushed the pace off made baskets, and their transition offense was nearly unstoppable in the second half.

Standout Performers

While official individual numbers were still being finalized, Georgia’s most valuable contributors stood out in the flow of the game. Their starting center controlled the paint with a double-double effort, while the backcourt duo handled Portugal’s defensive pressure and made smart decisions in pick-and-roll situations. Portugal were led by their veteran guard, whose scoring output kept the hosts within striking distance throughout the fourth quarter, and a young wing who provided a spark with back-to-back triples in the third period.

What This Result Means for the Qualifiers

For Georgia, this victory is a significant step toward World Cup qualification. Winning away from home against a competitive Portugal side is the kind of result that builds momentum and strengthens a team's standing within the group. The 98-point display also signals that this Georgia roster can score at a high level against European opposition.

Portugal, meanwhile, will look at this as a valuable learning experience. The effort was there, but the execution in critical moments and the rebounding battle were areas that need immediate correction. With more qualifying windows ahead, Portugal still control their own destiny, but defeat at home puts added pressure on upcoming road fixtures.

Final Thoughts

This European Qualifiers showdown delivered exactly what fans expected: two passionate teams, a raucous atmosphere, and a high-quality basketball game that went down to the final stretch. Georgia’s 98-90 win was built on mental toughness and physicality, while Portugal proved they can compete with the continent’s emerging powers if they clean up the little details. For now, Georgia celebrate an important away win; Portugal will regroup and refocus with their eyes firmly set on the next window.