According to reports from the Berlin Arena on September 8, 2026, the Hungarian women’s basketball national team secured a historic 84–63 victory over Japan in the knockout phase of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, advancing to the tournament quarterfinals for the first time in 40 years. Head coach Péter Völgyi’s squad overcame an opening 46-point loss against France to string together three consecutive wins against higher-ranked opponents.
How Hungary Reached the World Cup Quarterfinals
The Hungarian team entered the tournament ranked 19th in the world, facing a difficult path in the group stage, according to tournament records. Following a heavy 46-point defeat to France on Friday, Völgyi’s team rebounded within 24 hours to defeat Nigeria by 4 points. They secured second place in their group on Monday with a win against South Korea.
In the knockout match against Japan—the silver medalist at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and ranked 10th globally—Hungary built an early advantage. Lelik Réka led the scoring effort, finishing the game with 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Takács-Kiss added 17 points and 8 rebounds, as detailed in the official match statistics.
Scoring Momentum and Second-Half Control
Hungary started the match with a 7–0 run, taking a 20–12 lead after the first 10 minutes. Although Japan rallied late in the second quarter—leveling the score at 34–34 following two free throws by Tokasiki—Studer Ágnes hit her third three-pointer of the match just before the halftime buzzer to restore a 37–34 lead for Hungary.
The team opened the second half with another 7–0 run, restricting Japan to a shooting percentage below 30 percent in the third quarter. Hungary extended their lead to 58–45 by the end of the third frame, following two free throws by Yvonne Turner. Kányási Vera secured the team’s 10th three-pointer with five minutes remaining, pushing the advantage to 17 points before the game closed at 84–63.
Upcoming Quarterfinal Matchup Against the United States
Following the victory over Japan, Hungary holds a tournament record of three wins and one loss. According to the tournament schedule, the team will face the United States on Thursday in the quarterfinals. The United States enters the fixture as a major power in the sport.
Did you know?
Hungary’s qualification for the World Cup quarterfinals marks the program’s first appearance among the final eight teams in 40 years, achieving the milestone against opponents ranked higher in the global standings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the top scorer for Hungary against Japan?
Lelik Réka led Hungary with 23 points, along with 8 rebounds and 4 assists.
Who does Hungary play next in the World Cup?
Hungary plays the United States in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
What was the final score of the Hungary-Japan match?
Hungary defeated Japan 84–63, with quarter scores of 20–12, 17–22, 21–11, and 26–18.
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