Romania, victory in front of Hungary and 1st place in Group E of precalifications for the 2027 basketball world!

After the important victory in North Macedonia, score 80-72Romania returned to the country, in Oradea, for 2 consecutive matches scheduled in Oradea Arena. The first duel was the one with Hungary on Wednesday, August 6th.

The first balanced half, after an impressive return of Romania in the second quarter

In front of a reduced audience, the two nationals hardly found the road to the cart, and the first success of the tricolors came only after 3 minutes and 50 seconds. The Hungarians were the ones who entered the match faster and took the initiative.

Despite lot problems, Hungary has valuable players, who have important roles in the Hungarian championship or play in stronger leagues. Also, the Slovenian Gasper Okorn was able to rely on the naturalized American NATE.

Hungary led to 10 points and, after the first quarter, the score was 21-13. However, in the second act, Romania gradually reduced the difference, thanks to solid benefits of the Dragoș Lungu reserves, Mihai Măciuca and Bogdan Popa.

Taking advantage of a physical game, with many contacts allowed by the arbitrators, Mihai Silvășan's students defended themselves better in front of Hungary and, at the end of the first half, led several times. However, after a “siren” basket of Zoltan Perl, The two opponents went to the locker rooms: 32-32.

Romania, dominant after the break, defeated Hungary in Oradea Arena

The second half began with some tricolor mistakes, both in defense and attack, but the guests did not manage to take advantage of them. The game remained balanced and with few successful on both sides.

An incredible sequence of Bogdan Popa, the extreme of force of Romania, followed. It did all: offensive and defensive recovery, covers, one -point baskets, two points and three points. The result? At the end of the penultimate act, the hosts were leading 54-48.

Mihai Silvășan's students continued to dominate the game and, in the first minutes of the last quarter, the Nandor Kuti – Rareș Uță connection gave. Therefore, our national team distanced to 15 points, 65-50, with 5 minutes and 19 seconds left until the end.

Hungary tried to return and took advantage of two misrepresenting passengers, which brought it to a difference of 9 points, 67-58. However, Romania managed the situation excellently, showed that it had matured and got a very important new victory: 76-64.

Mihai Măciucă, the MVP of Romania: “I showed a fighting spirit”

The winners of the winner were Mihai Măciucă (21 points, 7 recovery), Bogdan Popa (11 points, 4 recovery), Lucas Tohătan (9 points, 4 decisive passes, 3 recovery) and Nandor Kuti (6 points, 7 decisive passes, 5 recovery).

On the other side, Zoltan Perl (15 points), Nate success (14 points), Marcell Pongo (13 points), David Vojvoda (10 points) and Gyorgy Goloman (10 points) were noted.

First of all, I want to congratulate my team. I have shown a fighting spirit and I am extremely proud of the way I showed this evening. For us, I could say that it is only the beginning. We try to put all the details of the point and prepare the next match with the North Macedonia

– Mihai Măciucă, MVP of Romania

Mihai Silvășan, after the second success of Romania: “The boys showed an exemplary attitude”

With 2 victories from so many matches, Romania is the leader of Group E and is closer to the qualification in the preliminaries of the World Basketball Championship of 2027.

First of all, I am very happy for the victory and I want to congratulate my boys for the attitude and the fighting spirit they have shown. I think I was the better team from a physical point of view. First of all, I dominated them for recovery. I put a constant pressure on their key players and I didn't let them play.

The boys showed an exemplary attitude. Even those who played less, those who stayed on the bench, enjoyed their colleagues and I think this made us have 2-0 at this time. We have to stay with my feet on the ground, we haven't finished yet.

Obviously, it is very good that we are 2-0 at this time, but we do not think about qualification, we do not think what place we will finish, but only what follows. We need to take things step by step, be our best version at every workout and fight in every match

– Mihai Silvășan, the coach of Romania

Romania's program in precalifications

• Wednesday, August 13, 7:00 pm – Romania Vs. North Macedonia (Oradea)

• Saturday, August 16, 7:00 pm – Hungary vs. Romania (Szolnok)

Group ranking E from World Championship Precalifications

Group E ranking, after the first 2 matches of Romania/photo: FlashScore capture