Cold shower for Romania in the last match of precalifications for the World Cup! Tricolor's anthem, faded by Hungarian supporters

Ashley Davis16/08/2025

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Article by David Istrate – published on Saturday, August 16, 2025, 21:08 / Updated on Saturday, August 16, 2025 21:11

In the last match of the World Championship precalements in 2027, the Romanian Basketball National Basketball was defeated at a difference of 20 points in Hungary, score 66-86, and will most likely finish in Group E.

After 3 consecutive victories in the second phase of precalifications for the 2027 World Basketball Championship, although it has ensured its presence in the preliminaries, Romania went to Szolnok, Hungary, with the thought of a success to strengthen their first position in Group E.

Moreover, The tricolors were also motivated by the fact that some of the Hungarian fans have faded the national anthem of Romania. First, slightly shy and then with an increasing intensity.

After a balanced first half, Romania was led to 2 points by Hungary

The first basket of Mihai Silvășan's students was registered by Captain Bogdan Nicolescu, from a great distance. As in the tour, Hungary started better, building around a solid Nate game.

The young Dragoș Lungu entered the reserve bench with a lot of energy and He was “angel and demon” for tricolors. He marked 4 consecutive points, but he made some crucial mistakes. Finally, the first quarter ended with the 19-18 score for the hosts, after a 3-point basket of Nandor Kuti.

In the second quarter, our offensive was blocked excellent by Hungarians, and success continued to pose problems with the other basket. However, the game remained balanced because the guests did not leave and returned every time Hungary was on the table.

Gasper Okorn's students led 38-31 but after a time-out of Silvășan, Romania made a partial of 7-2 and went to the locker rooms with a deficit of only 2 points: 38-40. The best tricolor player in the first half was Emanuel Căți, who gathered 8 points and 5 recovery and an efficiency index of +15.

The tricolors were totally dominated in the second half, lost to 18 points

The return from the locker rooms was not good for Romania, the opponent succeeding a part of 9-0. In the middle of the 3rd quarter, after a distance basket of Szilard Benke, the score became 54-40 and Silvășan was forced to ask for a rest time.

His indications had no effect, and again Hungary continued to dominate, playing at a total level other than the one shown in Oradea. The “vultures” seemed nervous and did not manage to keep up with the opponents who, before the decisive act, were leading to 23 points: 66-43.

The Hungarians, supported by a archip room, played better and better, and Okorn started to give minutes to reserves. The guests took advantage of this aspect and, lacking in pressure, registered 3 baskets from a distance, taking the score to 57-73.

After this moment, Hungary managed excellent advantage and imposed with 86-66becoming favorite to win the group E.

The leaders of Romania were Emanuel Căți (14 points, 8 recovery), Dragoș Diculescu (12 points, 5 recovery, 5 decisive passes) and Lucas Tohătan (10 points).

On the other side, Nate was noted (25 points, 5 recovery), Zoltan Perl (16 points, 4 recovery, 4 decisive passes), Gyorgy Goloman (13 points) and Szilard Benke (11 points).

As a result of this defeat, Romania will most likely finish in the second place in Group E and will play, in the preliminaries, In Group B, where France, Finland and Belgium will have as opponents.