Team USA faces Hungary in the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup on Thursday, September 10, at 5:30 a.m. ET in Berlin. This matchup marks the first meeting between the two teams since 1986, when Team USA won 78-63 in the group stage.

Hungary, having qualified by defeating Japan, aims to make history as it last reached this stage 40 years ago. Dorka Juhász, a standout forward for Hungary, expressed excitement for the game, acknowledging the significance of their top-eight finish.

Key Matchup Details:

• Date: Thursday, September 10
• Time: 5:30 a.m. ET
• Location: Berlin Arena, Berlin, Germany
• TV: TNT | Live stream: HBO Max
• Odds: Team USA -30.5 | O/U: 155.5

Hungary's Strategy:

• Offensive Focus: Hungary's offense relies heavily on its bigs, Juhász and Virag Takacs-Kiss, both 6-foot-4. Together, they contribute significantly to the team's scoring, averaging 15.3 and 14 points per game, respectively.
• Turnover Struggles: Hungary has struggled with ball security, averaging 21.5 turnovers per game, which has led to opponents scoring an average of 24 points off those turnovers.
• Key Player: Reka Lelik must step up after a strong performance against Japan, where she scored 23 points. Consistency from her is crucial if Hungary hopes to challenge Team USA.

Prediction:

While Team USA's recent performance has raised questions about their dominance, Hungary’s challenges, particularly with turnovers and overmatched perimeter play, suggest that an upset is unlikely. Team USA's defensive prowess is expected to stifle Hungary’s efforts, making it a tough outing for the European squad.