WARSAW (Poland) – Madagascar (men) produced one of the greatest days in the country's 3x3 basketball history, stunning Australia and defending world champions Spain to secure a first-ever berth in the knockout phase of the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2026.
After opening their campaign with two defeats on Day 1, Madagascar faced an uphill battle entering the final day of Pool A action. What followed was nothing short of remarkable.
Needing victories to keep their hopes alive, Madagascar first took down Australia 22-17 before delivering one of the biggest upsets of the tournament with a dramatic 20-19 victory over reigning world champions Spain.
The stunning double triumph lifted Madagascar to a 2-2 record and third place in Pool A behind Serbia and Austria, enough to punch their ticket to the Play-In round.
Against Australia, Elly Randriamampionona led the charge with 8 points, two assists and a pair of two-pointers. With the game hanging in the balance and Madagascar holding a slim 16-15 lead, Randriamampionona and Anthony Rasolomanana combined to score the team's final six points and close out a crucial victory.
But the best was still to come.
Facing a Spanish side that entered the event as defending world champions, Madagascar once again found itself in a battle that went down to the wire.
Randriamampionona continued his outstanding form with 10 points, but it was Alpha Solondrainy who authored the defining moment of the game.
Trailing 19-18 with less than 19 seconds remaining, Solondrainy secured his second offensive rebound of the contest before rising up from beyond the arc and drilling a go-ahead two-pointer over Iván Aurrecoechea.
The shot sent Madagascar fans into celebration, but there was still work to do.
Moments later, Solondrainy forced a Spanish turnover as time expired, sealing a famous 20-19 victory and one of the biggest results of the tournament so far.
The achievement marks a major milestone for Madagascar's rapidly growing 3x3 basketball program.
In their previous two FIBA 3x3 World Cup appearances in 2023 and 2025, Madagascar combined for just one victory and never advanced beyond the pool phase. This time, they not only survived one of the toughest groups in Warsaw, but eliminated the defending champions along the way.
Madagascar arrived in Warsaw hoping to compete with the world's best. Three days later, they have proven they belong among them.
And after a day that will be remembered for years to come, nobody will be eager to face them in the knockout rounds. Madagascar's Cinderella story continues, and they're hoping the clock won't strike midnight just yet
FIBA