Romania opened their FIBA Basketball World Cup European Qualifiers campaign with a solid 79-66 home win over North Macedonia on August 14, 2025. In a match that started at midnight local time, the Romanian side showcased their defensive discipline and clutch shooting to secure the victory. Romania built a steady lead through the middle quarters, effectively containing North Macedonia's key scorers and capitalizing on fast-break opportunities. Despite a late push from the visitors, Romania maintained their composure and closed out the game from the free-throw line. This result gives Romania a positive start in a competitive qualification group and will boost team morale, while North Macedonia will look to learn from this opening defeat as they continue their quest for a World Cup berth.