Nigeria’s D’Tigress suffered their second consecutive defeat at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup after losing 71-67 to Hungary in their Group B clash in Berlin, Germany, on Saturday.
The result leaves Nigeria facing a must-win final group match against France if they are to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive.
D’Tigress entered the game looking to bounce back from their disappointing 99-81 defeat to South Korea in their opening fixture, but Hungary proved too strong despite suffering a heavy 99-53 loss to France in their first match.
Hungary Hold Off D’Tigress
Hungary established control early in the contest, using their superior shooting efficiency and dominance inside the paint to frustrate the Nigerian side.
Juhasz and Takacs-Kiss were particularly influential, combining for 36 points as Hungary secured their first FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup victory in 28 years.
Juhasz was outstanding from the opening tip, producing a powerful first half that saw her record 13 points and 11 rebounds as Hungary built a significant advantage.
D’Tigress managed to regain some momentum during the game and attempted to close the gap, but Hungary consistently found answers whenever Nigeria threatened to launch a comeback.
The European side maintained a lead of around 10 points for much of the second half before Nigeria reduced the deficit late in the game.
Hungary Dominate Inside
One of the decisive factors was Hungary’s dominance in the paint.
Hungary scored 42 points inside the paint and grabbed 38 defensive rebounds, limiting Nigeria’s opportunities to secure second-chance points.
Their stronger interior presence, combined with better shooting efficiency, helped them withstand Nigeria’s late pressure and secure a narrow four-point victory.
The result represents a significant upset considering the teams’ respective positions in the FIBA World Rankings.
Nigeria entered the tournament ranked eighth in the world, while Hungary were ranked 19th.
Hungary’s victory also followed another major upset earlier in the day, when Mali stunned Spain.
D’Tigress Face France in Must-Win Clash
D’Tigress now have little room for error.
Nigeria will face France in their final Group B game on Monday, September 7, knowing that another defeat could end their hopes of progressing to the knockout stage.
The Nigerian team will need a much-improved performance against a strong French side after losing their opening two games of the tournament.
With their backs against the wall, D’Tigress must now produce their best basketball of the competition to keep their 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup campaign alive.
