Team USA will face Hungary in the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup on Thursday in Berlin. It is the first meeting between the two nations at the Women’s World Cup since 1986, when Team USA won 78-63 in the group stage.
The match begins at 11:30 a.m. local time, which works out to 5:30 a.m. ET, inside Berlin Arena. It will be shown on TNT and can also be watched through HBO Max.
Hungary’s Twin Towers
Hungary runs its offense through its two 6-foot-4 bigs, Dorka Juhász and Virag Takacs-Kiss. Juhász, a Minnesota Lynx forward, is averaging a double-double at 15.3 points and 11 rebounds per game. Takacs-Kiss is at 14 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.
Combined, these two players have accounted for 117 of the nation’s total of 290 points, which works out to 40.3 percent of the total.
Both players lack standout explosiveness or dynamism, yet each possesses shooting, passing, and positional versatility between the post and the perimeter. The Hungarian guards aim to move the ball inside quickly, whether through a direct post-up or a pick-and-roll.
Hungary relies on Juhász and Takacs-Kiss drawing double teams when they get the ball on the block, which opens up shots for their teammates. The way to slow them down is by keeping the ball away from those two players. If Team USA denies them deep post position and easy catches, Hungary’s offense will come apart.
Team USA’s single center, Aliyah Boston, will have her hands full in this one. She did most of the dirty work in the group-stage win over China, and she remains the team’s only player at that position.
A Major Turnover Problem
Hungary’s biggest problem is its poor possession control, which has led to a tournament-high number of giveaways.
Hungary gave the ball away six times in the opening five minutes of its group-stage match against France, fell behind by double digits early on, and was unable to catch up. The team’s 22 turnovers in that 46-point defeat resulted in 29 points being scored by France.
Turnovers have been a consistent problem even during Hungary’s victories in Berlin. The team is giving the ball away at a rate of 21.5 per contest, while opposing teams are converting those giveaways into an average of 24 points.
Hungary’s guards struggle with pressure, whether on-ball or being trapped in the pick-and-roll, and often try to force the ball into their bigs. The team’s lack of athleticism can also be a real problem. Team USA has the size and athletes to exploit this weakness, just as France did.
This matchup features two players who could seriously disrupt Team USA’s plans: Rhyne Howard and Angel Reese.
Lelik’s Inconsistency
Reka Lelik is Hungary’s third-leading scorer in Berlin at 12.3 points per game. In Tuesday’s quarterfinal qualification game against Japan, she poured in 23 points on 8 of 12 from the field, adding eight rebounds and four assists in one of the best performances of her national team career.
But she has been inconsistent:
- vs. France: 8 points on 3 of 10 shooting
- vs. Nigeria: 14 points on 5 of 10 shooting
- vs. South Korea: 4 points on 0 of 3 shooting
- vs. Japan: 23 points on 8 of 12 shooting
The pattern carries over from the World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Istanbul, where Lelik posted three double-digit scoring performances while contributing just two points across Hungary’s other two games.
A huge upset from Hungary would require Lelik to produce at a high level once more. Juhász and Takacs-Kiss are both excellent inside, but someone from beyond the arc needs to put points on the board to keep Team USA’s defense honest. Lelik won’ under pressure. Against Japan, Lelik was able to use her height effectively, so it will be worth watching how she copes with Team USA’s physical play.
A 40-Year Gap
Since 1986, the United States and Hungary have never before faced off at the Women’s World Cup, and USA Basketball put up video of that match on its YouTube page.
Hungary’s best finish in the competition came back in 1957, when it placed fifth. Since then, the nation has never gone further, and the 1986 tournament stands as the last time Hungary made it to the quarterfinals.
“I think it’s going to be a great game,” Juhász said. “Not many times Hungary have faced USA in any shape or form, so I think it’s going to be fun. It’s already a big thing that we’re in the top eight in the world. It’s been, what, 40 years? But we’re going to rest. We’re going to bring our hearts, our fight, and give all we have in that game.”
The Prediction
Tuesday’s FIBA move pushed France to the top of its World Cup Power Rankings after the group stage, signaling the end of Team USA’s poor showing against Italy has given other countries hope that this will be the year the Americans”s run of dominance at the World Cup.
The numbers show the distance between the two teams. The oddsmakers have placed Team USA as a 30.5-point favorite, with the total set at 155.5.
Team USA might fall in Berlin, but it won’t be against Hungary. Juhász and Takacs-Kiss could cause some problems inside, but only if they can get the ball in dangerous positions. Hungary’s perimeter players will be severely overmatched on both ends, and there’s no reason to expect their turnover problems to subside against a Team USA defense that has been dominant.
Thursday’s matchup should look much more like Team USA’s wins over China (94-61) and Czechia (105-64) than the slugfest versus Italy.
Source: cbssports.com
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