World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Hungary open Group A action with win over Japan

Japan - Hungary 65-77

Hungary beat Japan in Istanbul to open World Cup 2026 Qualifiers Group A action. Dorka Juhasz (193-F-1999, college: UConn) stepped up with 35 points and 9 rebounds to lead the European side. Yvonne Turner (179-G-1987, college: Nebraska) added 17 points in the victory.
Japan sank 24 points in the first period to gain a 4-point lead. Hungary responded with a 16-7 rally in the second term to secure a 36-31 halftime lead. The European side extended the lead in the third stanza. They built a 12-point advantage at the final break. Hungary protected the cushion throughout the fourth stanza and rallied to the win.
Mai Yamamoto (163-PG-1999) sank 15 points, while Kokoro Tanaka (173-SG-2006) added 13 points for Japan.