Doha, April 06 (QNA) - The third phase of the Qatar Women’s Basketball League (2025–2026 season) enters its decisive stage with the penultimate round of matches set for Tuesday. As the finish line approaches, competition intensifies and every point becomes crucial in shaping the final standings.

Both fixtures will tip off simultaneously. The highlight clash features Al Khor against league leaders Al Gharafa, while the second game sees Al Adaam take on Al Shamal in a contest that also carries weight in the race for the top positions.

Al Gharafa heads into this round at the top of the table with 8 points, following a string of strong performances that showcased their technical and organizational superiority.

The team has successfully imposed its style, excelling in defense, quick transitions to offense, and effectiveness under the basket. A win here would bring Al Gharafa significantly closer to securing the title ahead of the final round, adding extra motivation to maintain full focus and avoid surprises. In their previous outing, Al Gharafa defeated Al Adaam convincingly (86–55).

Al Khor, meanwhile, enters the match with renewed confidence after earning their first victory of the competition in the last round against Al Shamal (66–60).

That game highlighted the team’s ability to handle decisive moments, a quality missing in earlier rounds. Currently in third place with 6 points, Al Khor aims to build on this momentum to achieve a positive result against the leaders, either to consolidate their position or boost their chances of climbing further before the end.

The second encounter pits Al Shamal, second in the standings with 7 points, against Al Adaam. Al Shamal seeks victory to keep pressure on Al Gharafa and preserve their title hopes until the final round. The team relies on balanced performances and consistency but must raise concentration levels given the importance of this stage, where dropped points could prove costly.

Although Al Adaam participates in the league as part of a developmental framework and their results are not counted in the official standings, their matches remain competitive.

The team strives to deliver strong performances and gain valuable experience, posing an additional challenge for opponents chasing their objectives.

This round carries double significance as the last chance for teams to organize their strategies before the final stage on Friday, April 10, 2026. The concluding round will feature two decisive matchups—Al Gharafa vs. Al Shamal and Al Khor vs. Al Adaam—that may officially determine the champion and the rest of the rankings, with the close point margins ensuring the battle continues until the very end.

The league this season is played in three phases, a format designed to raise competitiveness and increase the number of matches, thereby enhancing players’ technical and physical development. The team with the highest points total at the end of all rounds will be crowned champion. (QNA)