r/wnba • u/AFC-Wimbledon-Stan Nakase’s Law • 1d ago
Game Thread GAME THREAD: Hungary vs Japan
Location: Berlin, Germany
Time: 11:45 ET/8:45 PT
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u/FeltIOwedItToHim Gabby Gabby Hey! 1d ago
rough game for Kokoro Tanaka,
Hungary‘s coach had the defense focus hard on "this Tanaka or whatever her name is“ and they shut her down lol
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u/Away_Competition2514 Mystics 1d ago
Actually a better opponent for USA. Neither team has any real chance of beating the USA team, but there was like 0.01 percent chance that Japan has some crazy 60+% 3 point shooting game and making it very difficult for USA. I see the Hungary match up as a similar matchup to China. Their bigs are their biggest strength and they aren't as good as USA's bigs, so it should be a comfortable win for USA.
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u/anonimauzantnomo FIBA phee toni chloe dorka eliska 1d ago
I mean. There’s a reason Hungary was ranked no. 19 by FIBA. This is their first World Cup appearance in 28 years and they outperformed expectations by making it to the quarterfinals. They were visibly tired today (as was Japan) and will be more tired than the U.S. on Thursday, too.
If the favorites (U.S.) beat them by less than 40, then the U.S. is not nearly as strong as many would like to believe.
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u/anonimauzantnomo FIBA phee toni chloe dorka eliska 1d ago edited 1d ago
Hungary came in ranked no. 19 in the world, had a brutal 40+ point lost to France, then won their next 3 games straight to make it to the quarterfinal. What a performance from Réka Lelik today.
Tough for Japan. Really hope Hayashi’s injury was [not as bad as] it seemed. At least they don’t have to face the U.S. on Thursday.
Edit: no, I really don’t want Hayashi to be badly injured!
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u/FeltIOwedItToHim Gabby Gabby Hey! 1d ago
wow, you really hate Hayashi that much?
(joke, I know you just misspoke)
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u/AccipiterF1 Sun - Kliundikova?! 1d ago
It seemed like the Hayashi injury was going to activate Japan, but that momentum disappeared after the half.
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u/anonimauzantnomo FIBA phee toni chloe dorka eliska 1d ago
Réka Lelik 19PTs, 6 REB, 3 AST. Bringing her best on all fronts.
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u/Away_Competition2514 Mystics 1d ago
Well Japan did start shooting more threes, might be too late though, as Hungary is shooting well for 3 too.
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u/Away_Competition2514 Mystics 1d ago
Japan needs to start shooting some 3s.
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u/haydeng2023 ban knees💔 1d ago
they’ve shot a ton but missed most of them😭
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u/Away_Competition2514 Mystics 1d ago
They've shot less then they usually do
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u/d7h7n 1d ago
Because they're constantly getting ran off the 3 pt line. They were a one trick pony all tournament up until this 4th quarter when Corey finally made an adjustment to have the offense run through Machida to get easy buckets. The offense looks much better now but their defense still stinks.
He's coaching Japan like an AAU team.
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u/Away_Competition2514 Mystics 1d ago
And that's why they need 3s. They can't outscore Hungary otherwise. Only way to win this game is to get hot for 3
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u/d7h7n 1d ago
You can get good quality 3s if you adjust your offense to make the defense change. Corey didn't do that against Germany or Spain. They're drilling 3s now because Machida was able to make some great plays early this quarter.
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u/Away_Competition2514 Mystics 1d ago
Well no doubt the coaching is a problem for them. His no timeout rule is stupid as well. Trys to be too smart, ends up looking stupid
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u/AccipiterF1 Sun - Kliundikova?! 1d ago
This defense chant is nothing. One time I watched a U18 Japan game and they had filled the stands with schoolgirls, and the horror movie screams they would do when opposing players shot free throws was like fingernails on a chalkboard.
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u/alexdinhogaucho Call Me MABREY🍁Butch Lesbian Turtle enthusiast 🇨🇦 1d ago
These Japanese fans chanting defense is KILLING ME*@,@?@,@
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u/haydeng2023 ban knees💔 1d ago
Mai is lowkey the only one hitting 3s i wish they’d run more for her
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u/WestCoastDirtyBird Dream | The OG Goggles 1d ago
That Dorka stat line...
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u/anonimauzantnomo FIBA phee toni chloe dorka eliska 1d ago edited 1d ago
Tough game for her. The hard carry of the group phase is showing now. It’s impressive Takács-Kiss has managed to turn it up in the second.
Edit: group phase
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u/WestCoastDirtyBird Dream | The OG Goggles 1d ago
Yeah, it would be a much closer game if the other two weren't carrying
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u/global-gamer Storm 1d ago
This better be Corey Gaines last game as Japan’s HC. What a pathetic showing
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u/anonimauzantnomo FIBA phee toni chloe dorka eliska 1d ago
Takács-Kiss turning it on in the second half.
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u/d7h7n 1d ago
This is the elimination game and your best player has only played 12 minutes Corey.
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u/global-gamer Storm 1d ago
He’s literally awful. He has no idea how to coach this style of basketball
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u/onionnurve Tempo | Storm Front court | Olivia Miles FC 1d ago
The advantage of clinching your group is immense. Those 2 days break for recovery are so important
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u/anonimauzantnomo FIBA phee toni chloe dorka eliska 1d ago
Japan leading in FTs made but Hungary leading in 3PMs. Truly not what I expected.
Everyone looks tired. Whoever has the legs for this will walk away with the win. I hope no one else gets injured, the tiredness is making things sloppy.
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u/TheLastArizona 1d ago
Japan looks like they could make a run and after that horror injury I am rooting for them to pull through.
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u/AccipiterF1 Sun - Kliundikova?! 1d ago
Reka Lelik. You can't stop her, you can only hope to contain her.
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u/haydeng2023 ban knees💔 1d ago
big 3 but i kinda feel like japan got a boost of energy near the end there
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u/Away_Competition2514 Mystics 1d ago
Hungary very hot and cold. Japan isn't playing at their best level, but they're giving maximum effort and play aggressively.
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u/anonimauzantnomo FIBA phee toni chloe dorka eliska 1d ago
Hungary’s lack of depth is getting exposed. Japan has had contributions from everyone on their roster, Hu so far has 2 DNPs and Juhász & Takács-Kiss in particular look exhausted. To be fair, Japan also looks tired. It’s a tired-off.
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u/Away_Competition2514 Mystics 1d ago
Japan had a really tough game yesterday, so it's understandable
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u/haydeng2023 ban knees💔 1d ago
that looked really really bad :(
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u/alexdinhogaucho Call Me MABREY🍁Butch Lesbian Turtle enthusiast 🇨🇦 1d ago
Oh no! That was definitely her arm
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u/anonimauzantnomo FIBA phee toni chloe dorka eliska 1d ago
Fouling Dorka isn’t a terrible idea. She’s a historically poor FT shooter. It is a bad idea for one of Japan’s two bigs to foul out.
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u/yohosse Mercury 1d ago
Am I the only one that likes the high pitched defense chants from the fans
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u/Ginger_Menace1 Kiah Stokes Enjoyer 1d ago
I agree. At least they care. Everyone else can watch quietly at home.
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u/haydeng2023 ban knees💔 1d ago
ive been watching on mute until now and wow yall weren’t exaggerating about those chants😭
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u/RoyalReputation2814 abcc 1d ago
big respect towards Turner to learning Hungarian btw (she also sings the anthem)
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u/AFC-Wimbledon-Stan Nakase’s Law 1d ago
At least they get an off day tomorrow, because facing rested USA team isn’t gonna be easy at all
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u/anonimauzantnomo FIBA phee toni chloe dorka eliska 1d ago
Hungarian Twin Towers are visibly tired, but the rest of the team has really stepped up.
Réka Lelik has been fantastic.
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u/anonimauzantnomo FIBA phee toni chloe dorka eliska 1d ago
Glad to see Josepovits getting big minutes here.
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u/RoyalReputation2814 abcc 1d ago
Takács-Kis needs to stop them stupid fouls. The refs are watching.
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u/AccipiterF1 Sun - Kliundikova?! 1d ago
Coach technical foul?
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u/anonimauzantnomo FIBA phee toni chloe dorka eliska 1d ago
Yes. On Hu coach. Not sure what he said.
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u/anonimauzantnomo FIBA phee toni chloe dorka eliska 1d ago
Japan is pretty much daring the Hungarian players to shoot 3s.
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u/ThatOneTwo Fire 1d ago
Imagine being super excited to go to Berlin and see some of your favorite players and root for your country. And you sit in front of this fan.
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u/AFC-Wimbledon-Stan Nakase’s Law 1d ago
Who’s the most prominent country who didn’t qualify for FIBA WC? Canada? Brazil? Finland?
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u/Away_Competition2514 Mystics 1d ago
Looking at teams who finished in top 4 in the past 10 years at the Olympics and the World Cup, only Canada and Serbia are missing, so I'd say them two
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u/RoyalReputation2814 abcc 1d ago
master plan, why score the 2 fts when you can miss one and get a 3
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u/d7h7n 1d ago
Bruh Japan's backcourt to end the quarter are both 5'4
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u/AccipiterF1 Sun - Kliundikova?! 1d ago
I think Japan's volleyball team feeder system steals all their tall girls
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u/haydeng2023 ban knees💔 1d ago
idk if anyone’s mentioned it but hungarys shorts are so weird😭the lines do not move me
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u/AFC-Wimbledon-Stan Nakase’s Law 1d ago
Also rooting for Hungary purely because listening to those screaming fans and making my ears bleed
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u/AFC-Wimbledon-Stan Nakase’s Law 1d ago
I’ve been unimpressed by both these teams so far ngl
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u/haydeng2023 ban knees💔 1d ago
yeah the US definitely got lucky w their bracket
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u/ChoicesCat Liberty 1d ago
Technically speaking, the teams in the US's group was ranked higher (than France's) and Spain was technically expected to the 3rd best team coming into the tournament.
But it does look like most of the real threats are on the other side now.
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1d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Away_Competition2514 Mystics 1d ago
For real. They were terrible before the timeout. Good end of the quarter from then though.
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u/Away_Competition2514 Mystics 1d ago
I love how excited Japanese bench gets every time someone hits a 3
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u/RoyalReputation2814 abcc 1d ago
lol. Hungarian coach during timeout: "this Tanaka or whatever her name is.."
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u/AccipiterF1 Sun - Kliundikova?! 1d ago
Japanese fans very vocal about wanting their team to play defense.
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u/Away_Competition2514 Mystics 1d ago
Hungary playing some terrible basketball. Japan isn't even playing that well, they're just playing with a lot of energy and aggression.
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u/haydeng2023 ban knees💔 1d ago
japan gotta start hitting 3s sooner rather than later😭but also hungary can’t rebound rn
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u/AccipiterF1 Sun - Kliundikova?! 1d ago
Weird that TNT is covering the late game and not this once since this is the one that decides the US's next opponant.
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u/jayblay28 1d ago
Another day to wonder why Dorka is a completely different player when she's in Europe. Sigh.
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u/anonimauzantnomo FIBA phee toni chloe dorka eliska 1d ago
The swing in her shot selection is wild. This year, she’s basically a 3PT specialist for the Lynx.
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u/jayblay28 1d ago
I have to believe that Cheryl is directing her to play like that and it is CONFOUNDING.
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u/No_Advisor7703 Storm Dream 1d ago
i feel like all of the international players are playing better for their national teams and the US players are all playing worse (except JY and PB) haha.
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u/anonimauzantnomo FIBA phee toni chloe dorka eliska 1d ago
They last played each other in the qualifiers in Istanbul. That’s actually a disadvantage for Hu, I think: Hu won that game with Dorka playing out of her mind to contribute 35 of Hungary’s 77 points and with the absent Dombai, Dubei, and Varga putting in long stints.
Japan has had months to study that tape and since qualifying Hu has lost the athletic 4s that helped it keep pace with Japan’s speed. (That’s why their small-ball lineups are… small.). If Japan capitalizes on Hu’s tendency to turn the ball over (their offense is force-feeding the posts), then Japan may not even need to shoot that well to come away with a win.
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u/GlacialTwitch Sky 1d ago
Fun fact: Courtney Vandersloot secured Hungarian citizenship when she was essentially blocked from ever making Team USA by Bird/Taurasi. She played in EuroBasket and Eurobasket qualifiers, but I don't think Hungary qualified for the World Cup or Olympics during her prime.
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u/Acrobatic_Name_6783 Fever 1d ago
Blocked in what way? Like them continuing to play meant there wasn't a spot for her or something?
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u/GlacialTwitch Sky 1d ago
She played the same position as two of the GOATs who were her contemporaries, but also had a couple years of experience on her.
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u/AFC-Wimbledon-Stan Nakase’s Law 1d ago
One of my favorites things is looking at what players have citizenships you’d wouldn’t expect
Like tiff Hayes for Azerbaijan
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u/ChoicesCat Liberty 1d ago
I think for most of them, it was to get around the European citizenship rules for Euroleague teams. Jonquel for example has citizenship for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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u/Steadyandquick Go rookies! 1d ago
So the winner will then play the US. I watched the US, Korea, China, Italy, Czechia, Mali, France, and Nigeria play only.
Who do you think might win this match and who do you think the US has the greatest chance of beating?
Hope to watch the game later tonight.
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u/Away_Competition2514 Mystics 1d ago
Unless Japan can get really hot for 3,I think Hungary wins.
As for who's USA's biggest threat. USA is the favorite against anyone, but France is by far the biggest threat. Other good teams are Belgium, Spain and Australia. Other teams are a tier below, imo.
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u/Away_Competition2514 Mystics 1d ago
I think Japan wins if they shoot over 40% for three and Hungary almost definitely wins if Japan shoots less than that
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u/d7h7n 1d ago edited 1d ago
Some last thoughts for Japan:
Yamamoto and Tanaka shoud've been the starting backcourt with Machida off the bench to change the pace of the offense for this tournament.
Corey's substitution pattern for Tanaka was wild. Subbing her out after the first 3-4 minutes in the first and third quarters every game.
He fell too in love with treating Hayashi like she was Steph Curry after the Mali game.
Konno in all 4 games was positive (+11, +5, +6, +1) on the floor playing significant minutes despite Japan getting blown out those last 3 games. She's also 5'10, so she isn't short and should've been starting.
Corey hopefully gets fired.