SAN JUAN (Puerto Rico) - Maria Conde had every reason to enjoy Spain's stellar opening win against New Zealand more than most at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament in San Juan.
Denied the opportunity to play at FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 because of injury, it turned out to be a cruel calendar year. The winger not only missed Spain's thrilling ride to the title game, but she also had to sit and watch ZVVZ USK Praha win a fairytale EuroLeague Women crowd from the sidelines.
Back at full tilt and shining again, Conde impressed in her team's one-sided 99-50 success against New Zealand. It was an impressive team effort which returned the joint-third highest team points total in the history of the competition.
Most points scored in a single game in Qualifying Tournaments*
Rank | Team | Opponent & Score | Date | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | China | vs France 103-70 | February 13, 2022 | 103 |
2 | Russia | vs Puerto Rico 102-68 | February 14, 2022 | 102 |
3 | Spain | vs New Zealand 99-50 | March 11, 2026 | 99 |
- | Belgium | vs Brazil 99-70 | March 11, 2026 | 99 |
5 | Belgium | vs Puerto Rico 96-85 | February 10, 2022 | 98 |
*First introduction of the WWCQT in 2022
Conde helped put the Tall Ferns to the sword with a typically smart 12 points and 3 assists - oozing the quality and leadership that might have been the difference last year in Piraeus between Spain's silver medal and chance of gold.
Although Conde is reluctant to agree she might have been the difference-maker, stating: " I don't think we'll ever know. Maybe I would have been there, and it would have been worse than it was. I think they put together the team as it is at the end of the day.
"And, I think it was incredibly amazing to watch. I would have loved to have been there with them too, you know, I was telling the girls when they finished and they lost [the Final]. I was like, 'I wish it was me losing' because, you know, when you're watching from the house, you just want to be a part of it. So I was so incredibly proud of them, and I'm just happy to be back again."
As well as missing out on Continental action last year, Conde is still waiting for her FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup debut.
I always say Spain has been the team of my life
Not on the roster for her country's bronze medal success on home soil in 2018, Spain then failed to qualify for Sydney 2022 - something which just makes it even more of a motivation to make it to Berlin. "I think it would be a great deal for everyone," said the 29 year-old.
"It's obvious that it is one of the biggest championships to play, and I think no one here has been part of a FIBA Basketball World Cup ever. So I think we're all very excited and hopefully we come out of this week with the qualification and we can start preparing for the games." The level of excitement when Conde talks about wearing a national team vest is palpable - despite the roller-coaster journey. "It means everything, honestly," she smiled.
"I always say Spain has been the team of my life. Hopefully, by the end of my career it’s going to be the team that I'm going to play the most with. So I'm just always so happy to represent the country and to be here. And like I said, hopefully we're going to get a qualification out of this, and we get to play in the World Cup, that would be amazing."
While opening up with New Zealand was a breeze, it might be more of a head wind ahead when they have to face reigning FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup champions, USA.
But Conde is undaunted and relishing the prospect - although admitted not having them until the last day of competition might be favorable. But what does she expect against the new-look holders?
"Probably same as always with Team USA," mused Conde.
"Just to bring a lot of energy, a lot of good players. It doesn't really matter who's on the roster at the end it’s Team USA. Luckily, we play them last. So hopefully it also gives us time to, you know, get it rolling and get a few wins before that and just compete at the end, which is what we want to do this week. If Spain do make it to Berlin, it won't only be the end of a long wait for Conde - but also her teammate and 34 year-old Mariona Ortiz. A real leader and someone that she was quick to give a shout out to.
"You know, she got to the national team late also," explained Conde.
"She's a late bloomer and our most veteran player, and for me, there's not really many point guards like her. She runs the floor, she puts everyone in position. She knows where everyone is at all times. For me, she's the most complete player we have."
Spain will next face Senegal, followed by Puerto Rico, Italy and USA.
FIBA