Phygital Basketball Group Stages kick off in Astana
The opening day of Phygital Contenders Astana 2026 delivered the first wins, early statements of intent and plenty of action as teams began their fight for a place at the Games of the Future 2026. With several matches decided by fine margins and momentum shifting repeatedly across both the digital and physical stages, the opening rounds offered an early glimpse of just how unpredictable the battle for the final qualification spots is set to be.
Featuring a mix of established names and ambitious newcomers, the group stages highlighted the depth of talent on display in Astana. Teams that earned their place through regional and national competitions went head-to-head from the very first tip-off, underlining just how competitive the race for qualification has become. As a curtain raiser, it showed exactly how competitive things are going to get as the road to GOTF 2026 enters its final stages.
Group A
BOCA v Voždovac
The first match of the tournament was already shaping up to be a classic as soon as the draw was announced. BOCA arrived as one of the most recognizable names in the tournament, while Voždovac is the reigning Serbian 3x3 National Champion and Cup winner. From the start, Voždovac played as one. With only two players on the roster, the Serbian duo showed outstanding chemistry, controlling the pace of the game from start to finish and converting a slim digital-stage lead into a convincing win on the court.
Digital stage: BOCA 17-19 Voždovac
Physical stage: BOCA 8-20 Voždovac
Final result: BOCA 25-39 Voždovac
“Just like normal 3x3 basketball, the first game is always the toughest one – anyone familiar with the format knows that. I believe we did a good job of staying composed across both the digital and physical stages, and most importantly, we achieved what we came here to do: win. Now it's about continuing to train, preparing for the upcoming matches, and staying focused on ourselves” said Petar Panic, from Voždovac.
GEPCO v ZM NITUI
Pakistan-based GEPCO arrived with a reputation for disciplined, structured play. ZM NITUI from Croatia are a team of professionals with a reputation for fearless energy and aggressive defense.
A strong digital stage, built on accurate shooting from beyond the arc, gave ZM NITUI early control of the match. Their pace and chemistry continued to shine on the court, where they steadily increased their lead and never looked back. By halftime they were already more than 15 points ahead, ultimately sealing a convincing 4:21 win in the physical stage.
Digital stage: GEPCO 11-19 ZM NITUI
Physical stage: GEPCO 4-21 ZM NITUI
Final result: GEPCO 15-40 ZM NITUI
Group B
Triada v MINSK
Triada were a runner-up at Phygital Rivals 2025, and have brought a roster packed with experience, led by popular basketball blogger Kirill Volik. MINSK is a squad representing one of the most historic basketball programs in their region, featuring players developed through the Belarusian system. MINSK took control early, using their experience in the phygital format to build a strong lead during the digital stage. Triada responded on the court, bringing intensity and physical presence to gradually close the gap. In a dramatic finish, they leveled the score at 27:27 with just 30 seconds remaining, but a late free throw gave MINSK a narrow 28:27 victory with no seconds left on the clock.
Digital stage: Triada 08-19 MINSK
Physical stage: Triada 19-09 MINSK
Final result: Triada 27-28 MINSK
Valencia Basket vs ARENA BULLS
This match brought together two heavyweights. Valencia Basket is a Spanish institution with major titles and current world champion 3x3 pedigree. ARENA BULLS meanwhile, have a roster featuring strong players including Cavit Ege, Havsa – current player of “Konya BBSK” competing in the Turkish Basketball First League (TBL). While Valencia Basket arrived confident in their abilities on the court, they left nothing to chance. The Spanish-based side started with a disciplined and defensive performance in the digital stage, building a valuable buffer heading into the physical round. From there, they never looked back, carrying that momentum onto the court where their intensity, composure and teamwork kept ARENA BULLS at bay and secured a commanding victory.
Digital stage: Valencia Basket 19-15 ARENA BULLS
Physical stage: Valencia Basket 18-8 ARENA BULLS
Final result: Valencia Basket 37-23 ARENA BULLS
Round 2 – Phygital Basket
After an initial face-off, the teams moved on to round 2.
Voždovac vs GEPCO
Voždovac entered their second match of the day looking to build on a strong opening-round performance, while GEPCO sought to bounce back after a difficult start to the tournament. The Serbian side once again demonstrated why they are among the favorites, taking control early in the digital stage and carrying that momentum onto the court. Their trademark chemistry was on full display, with quick ball movement and dynamic passing creating scoring opportunities throughout the match. While GEPCO showed greater resilience in the physical stage, Voždovac remained composed, converting key baskets and clean free throws to maintain a comfortable lead and secure another convincing victory.
Digital stage: Voždovac 20-8 GEPCO
Physical stage: Voždovac 20-15 GEPCO
Final result: Voždovac 40-23 GEPCO
Team Elites vs BOCA
Team Elites made their tournament debut against BOCA in one of the most closely contested matches of the day. The digital stage remained tight throughout, with BOCA holding a narrow lead for most of the game before Team Elites found their rhythm late on, closing the gap to just a single point. The intensity carried onto the court, where both teams showcased strong ball control, composure and physical presence. With the lead changing hands several times, the result remained in doubt until the closing moments, when BOCA held their nerve to edge out a thrilling victory.
Digital stage: Team Elites 19-17 BOCA
Physical stage: Team Elites 18-22 BOCA
Final result: Team Elites 37-39 BOCA
Valencia vs Minsk
MINSK and Valencia Basket entered the matchup following strong opening-round victories, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated clashes of the day. MINSK quickly showed their experience in the phygital format, taking control of the digital stage and building a valuable eight-point advantage. Valencia Basket responded strongly on the court, using their basketball pedigree to match MINSK point for point in the physical stage. However, the Belarusian side remained composed under pressure, protecting their lead throughout to secure a hard-fought victory.
Digital stage: MINSK 20-12 Valencia Basket
Physical stage: MINSK 10-10 Valencia Basket
Final result: MINSK 30-22 Valencia Basket
“The result in the digital stage was a real setback for us. Things didn’t go the way we had planned, and I think we carried some of that frustration into the physical stage, which prevented us from performing at the level we showed in our first match of the day. But that's also what the phygital format is all about – you have to put the previous stage behind you, adapt quickly, and keep pushing forward. It's an important lesson for us and valuable experience as we prepare for the next stages of the competition.” said Marcos Reos Campos from Valencia Basket
Uzbek Hyper Hoops vs Triada
Uzbek Hyper Hoops made an impressive start to their Phygital Contenders campaign, taking control of the digital stage and building an early advantage over Triada. The physical stage proved far more competitive, with Uzbek Hyper Hoops showcasing excellent communication and agility while Triada responded with a more physical approach to gradually close the gap. With the lead changing hands several times in the final minutes, Uzbek Hyper Hoops looked capable of causing an upset. However, a series of missed chances in the closing moments allowed Triada to seize control and extend their advantage, eventually securing a 37:28 victory.
Digital stage: Uzbek Hyper Hoops 20-15 Triada
Physical stage: Uzbek Hyper Hoops 8-22 Triada
Final result: Uzbek Hyper Hoops 28-37 Triada
Key takeaways
With the group stage now underway, every point now makes the difference between advancing and going home early. Early nerves featured in a lot of the games but there were also a host of strong performances that have given teams such as Voždovac and MINSK some much-needed momentum that they will be hoping to maintain. With the bulk of the matches ahead, however, nothing is settled and there is plenty of time for others to catch up.
The group stages continue tomorrow (11 June), with more Phygital Basketball action set to shape the road to the knockout rounds. You can follow the live results here.
Where to watch
Fans around the world will soon be able to follow Phygital Contenders Astana 2026 live through our official streaming platform Phygital+. Live streams will begin on 12 June for Phygital Basketball. You’ll also be able to catch-up on all the results and highlights on our platform throughout the rest of the event.
