Group stage continues with more thrilling Phygital Basketball action
Day 2 of Phygital Basketball presented by Halyk Fund continued to deliver the thrills as the Games of the Future 2026 Powered by SAMRUK-KAZYNA group stage moved closer to its conclusion.
Eight more top-quality matches saw dramatic comeback attempts, dominant digital performances – and reigning champions continuing their winning form. With today's results, the first teams have secured their places in the quarterfinals, while those on the losing side will have one final chance to keep their title ambitions alive in tomorrow's Round of 16. Here's how it all unfolded.
GTB KZ vs HandsomeMDMX
In another dominant digital performance, HandsomeMDMX raced into a commanding 20-5 lead, putting home team GTB KZ under immediate pressure. Despite an early injury scare to Filip Pejovic – who later returned to the court – GTB KZ fed off a vocal crowd to produce a spirited fightback. The hosts reduced the deficit to just a single point inside the final minute and were on the verge of completing the comeback of the tournament – but HandsomeMDMX held their nerve to secure the most dramatic of wins.
Digital stage: GTB KZ 5-20 HandsomeMDMX
Physical stage: GTB KZ 22-10 HandsomeMDMX
Final result: GTB KZ 27-30 HandsomeMDMX
MINSK vs Team Apex
MINSK continued to underline their title credentials with another impressive victory, although Team Apex made them work for it on the court.
MINSK, runners-up at Phygital Contenders Astana 2026, showed their experience in the digital stage, storming to a remarkable 20-1 advantage. Team Apex refused to back down, however, and produced one of the strongest physical performances of the day. Despite their impressive comeback attempt, the digital deficit proved too great to overcome as MINSK closed out a 32-20 victory.
Digital stage: MINSK 20-1 Team Apex
Physical stage: MINSK 12-19 Team Apex
Final result: MINSK 32-20 Team Apex
Zagrebacki Mališani NITUI vs Dangerous
Dangerous continued their strong start to the tournament with an impressive victory over reigning Phygital Contenders champions ZM NITUI.
Unlike many of the day's matches, the digital stage remained finely balanced, with Dangerous edging ahead 19-14 to leave everything to play for on the court. ZM NITUI responded with their trademark chemistry and attacking movement, but Dangerous matched them throughout the physical stage with disciplined defence and composed finishing. With the second stage ending level, Dangerous's narrow digital advantage proved enough to seal a deserved 36-31 victory.
Digital stage: ZM NITUI 14-19 Dangerous
Physical stage: ZM NITUI 17-17 Dangerous
Final result: ZM NITUI 31-36 Dangerous
Liga Pro Team vs Flow Game Basketball
Reigning Games of the Future champions Liga Pro Team were pushed all the way by Flow Game Basketball. Separated by just a single point after an entertaining digital stage, both teams carried the intensity onto the court with disciplined defence, quick ball movement and confident shooting. Flow Game Basketball continued to challenge throughout, but Liga Pro Team showed their championship experience, gradually extending their advantage with clinical finishing to secure a convincing 38-27 victory.
Digital stage: Liga Pro Team 18-19 Flow Game Basketball
Physical stage: Liga Pro Team 20-8 Flow Game Basketball
Final result: Liga Pro Team 38-27 Flow Game Basketball
"It's good to win two games in a row, but we know we need to improve our digital performance. As defending champions, every team is ready to challenge us, and the level has clearly increased compared to previous editions, with teams much better prepared in the digital stage. Our focus now is on reviewing those performances while continuing to build on our physical game." – Iurii Bespalov from Liga Pro Team
Voždovac Beograd vs PBC Astana
The home crowd had plenty to cheer about as PBC Astana produced one of their strongest performances of the tournament to book their place in the quarter-finals. The hosts edged a closely contested digital stage 14-19, with both teams displaying impressive accuracy and composure throughout. Backed by an electric atmosphere, PBC Astana carried that momentum onto the court, maintaining control despite Voždovac Beograd's determined efforts to stay in the contest. They continued to battle until the final whistle, but the hosts proved too strong securing a convincing 33-22 victory.
Digital stage: Voždovac Beograd 14-19 PBC Astana
Physical stage: Voždovac Beograd 8-14 PBC Astana
Final result: Voždovac Beograd 22-33 PBC Astana
Boca Juniors vs Club Pepesqueros
One of the most dramatic matches of the day saw Boca Juniors survive a stunning late comeback from Club Pepesqueros to edge a thrilling victory.
Boca Juniors established control early, producing a dominant 20-10 digital stage while enjoying strong support from the Astana crowd. Club Pepesqueros refused to let the deficit define the match, with Yoel inspiring a spirited fightback through a series of remarkable long-range baskets. The scores were level with less than a minute remaining before Boca Juniors hit a decisive long-range shot in the closing seconds to seal a dramatic 37-35 victory.
Digital stage: Boca Juniors 20-10 Club Pepesqueros
Physical stage: Boca Juniors 17-25 Club Pepesqueros
Final result: Boca Juniors 37-35 Club Pepesqueros
"This match showed us that we can compete with anyone here. We believe we can win this tournament, and that's what we're working towards." – Ramiro Diaz Isguenderian from Boca Juniors
Triada vs Paris Phygital
Paris Phygital controlled the opening stage to build a 19-15 advantage, putting pressure on Triada heading onto the court. The response was emphatic. Triada raised the intensity in the physical stage, combining disciplined defence with clinical finishing to outscore their opponents 16-9 and overturn the deficit. Their impressive display on the court secured a deserved 31-28 victory and a place in the quarterfinals.
Digital stage: Triada 15-19 Paris Phygital
Physical stage: Triada 16-9 Paris Phygital
Final result: Triada 31-28 Paris Phygital
Valencia Basket vs Wilders
The final match of the day delivered another high-quality contest as Wilders edged Valencia Basket to continue their unbeaten start at the Games of the Future 2026. The digital stage remained finely balanced throughout, with Wilders eventually claiming a narrow 20-17 advantage. Valencia Basket responded strongly on the court, led by another outstanding shooting display from Marcos Reos, whose long-range accuracy repeatedly brought the crowd to its feet. Wilders, however, matched every challenge with fast ball movement, relentless attacks to the basket and composed finishing to preserve their lead and secure a 38-32 victory.
Digital stage: Valencia Basket 17-20 Wilders
Physical stage: Valencia Basket 15-18 Wilders
Final result: Valencia Basket 32-38 Wilders
Key Takeaways
With the first quarterfinal places now decided, the pressure only increases heading into the final day of the group stage. The winners of today's matches have booked their places in the last eight, while the defeated teams will battle for survival in tomorrow's Round of 16, where a single defeat will bring their Games of the Future 2026 campaign to an end. The action begins at 18:00 local time.
The action also expands tomorrow as two more disciplines enter the spotlight. MOBA PC Dota 2 presented by CenterCredit gets underway from 10:00 local time, before Battle Royale PUBG: Battlegrounds presented by Alatau City Bank begins at 14:00, adding even more world-class competition here in Astana.
Where to watch
Whether you're cheering from the stands or following from the other side of the world, Phygital+ is the home of the Games of the Future 2026. Subscribers can enjoy live coverage of every discipline, full event and day-pass access, video-on-demand replays, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content throughout the tournament.
Alongside Phygital+, Games of the Future 2026 is being broadcast by leading media partners across the globe, including Fox Sports Mexico (Mexico), StarTimes (Africa), BIGG TV (France/Worldwide), ESR TV (USA/Worldwide), Play TV (Brazil), Unbeaten (Australia) and QazSport (Kazakhstan), ensuring fans around the world can follow the action as it unfolds.
The Games of the Future experience continues beyond the live action, with celebrity host Matt Richardson bringing fans exclusive behind-the-scenes access, updates and highlights throughout the tournament via @gamesofthefutureofficial.
