Al-Qazeres Women opened their Spain LF Challenge Women campaign with a composed 73-64 home victory over CD Zamarat Women, using a decisive third-quarter run to turn a close game into a valuable early-season win. Played on October 4, 2026, the match showcased the hosts’ depth and defensive discipline, while Zamarat showed enough fight to suggest they will be competitive in the coming weeks.

Match Overview

The first half was a back-and-forth affair. Al-Qazeres led 18-16 after the opening quarter and took a 37-33 advantage into the halftime break. Zamarat stayed within reach thanks to timely outside shooting and a willingness to attack the basket, but the hosts always seemed to have an answer. The third quarter proved decisive, as Al-Qazeres outscored Zamarat 19-15 to extend the lead to 56-48, and they maintained control through the final ten minutes to close out the 73-64 result.

Key Moments

The pivotal stretch came midway through the third quarter. With Al-Qazeres leading 42-38, point guard Marta Nogales orchestrated an 11-2 run that pushed the advantage to double digits. Nogales found shooters on the wing and repeatedly broke down Zamarat’s zone defense with penetration. Zamarat responded with a three-pointer from Lucía Fernández to cut the deficit to 48-44, but Al-Qazeres answered with six straight points, capped by a fast-break layup from Elena Calvo. In the fourth quarter, Zamarat trimmed the lead to 61-56, only for the hosts to close with a 12-8 surge, sealing the win at the free-throw line.

Tactical Story

Al-Qazeres employed aggressive pick-and-roll coverage, forcing Zamarat into contested mid-range shots for much of the night. Offensively, the hosts attacked the paint relentlessly, drawing fouls and generating second-chance opportunities. Zamarat’s zone defense caused some early problems, but Al-Qazeres adjusted by placing a shooter at the high post and using quick ball reversals to stretch the defense. The rebounding battle also favored the home side, particularly on the offensive glass, where Calvo and fellow forward Isabel Moreno combined for several crucial putbacks.

Standout Players

• Marta Nogales (Al-Qazeres): 17 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals. She controlled the tempo and made the key plays during the decisive third-quarter run.
• Elena Calvo (Al-Qazeres): 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Her inside presence gave Zamarat trouble all evening.
• Lucía Fernández (CD Zamarat): 19 points, including three three-pointers, and 5 rebounds. She kept her team within striking distance.
• Ana Duarte (CD Zamarat): 13 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals. Her energy on both ends sparked several Zamarat runs.

Season Impact

The win gives Al-Qazeres early momentum in the LF Challenge Women standings and a confidence boost ahead of a challenging road stretch. For Zamarat, the loss is a learning experience; they competed for three quarters but were undone by a poor start to the second half. Both teams will look to build on their opening performances as the Spanish second division season unfolds.