Szolnok secured a thrilling victory over Falco-Vulcano Energia KC Szombathely in a highly anticipated Hungarian Cup final, claiming the title with a 69–66 win. The match, held on Sunday, showcased a fierce battle between the league’s top two teams, with Szolnok, the defending league champions, ultimately prevailing over the cup titleholders.
The win marks Szolnok’s 11th Hungarian Cup title, solidifying their dominance in the competition. Both teams entered the final in impressive form – Szolnok currently leads the NB I standings with a 19/1 record, while Falco holds the second spot at 16/4. Last year saw Szombathely capture their third MK title in Kaposvár, while Szolnok didn’t even reach the final four.
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Galéria: NHSZ-Szolnoki Olajbányász – Falco-Vulcano Energia KC SzombathelyFotó: Sitku Márton
Both Olaj, who also competed in the Champions League, and Falco, a EuroCup quarterfinalist, had been on seven-game winning streaks heading into the final. Prior to this year, the last time neither Szombathely nor Szolnok lifted the Hungarian Cup trophy was in 2017. Falco’s last victory against their rivals came in April of last year, but they had lost all three encounters in the NB I final and a December regular season game.
The game saw a tight start, with Szolnok taking an early lead, extending it to seven points. The contest remained fiercely competitive, characterized by missed opportunities and a low-scoring affair. At halftime, Szolnok led 34–30, with Somogyi Ádám leading all scorers with 14 points.
The second half continued to be a defensive battle, with both teams fighting for every possession. Despite a late push from Szombathely, led by Tyler Peterson, who nearly single-handedly kept his team in the game, a late three-pointer from Boris Krnjajski sealed the victory for Szolnok. The game was tied at 66-65 with just a minute remaining.
Somogyi was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) after totaling 54 points across the two games.
This victory marks Szolnok’s 11th Hungarian Cup title, adding to their previous wins in 2002, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2024. The defending league champions and current NB I leaders demonstrated their championship pedigree in a hard-fought final.
Atomerőmű Claims Bronze
Atomerőmű SE secured the bronze medal in the Zsíros Tibor Men’s Basketball Hungarian Cup, defeating Honvéd 92–89 in Sunday’s third-place game at the BOK Arena in Budapest. The match saw a strong finish from Atomerőmű, overcoming a late challenge from Honvéd.
Honvéd started strongly, but their momentum faded, allowing Atomerőmű to build a significant lead in the first quarter. The game saw several lead changes, with Honvéd rallying behind Djordje Dimitrijevic to close the gap, leading 46–42 at halftime. Notably, Paks’ star player, Benke Szilárd, had yet to score in the first half.
The second half saw another shift in momentum, with Atomerőmű regaining the lead through the scoring of Trevon Bluiett. A back-and-forth battle ensued, and the fourth quarter began with Honvéd leading 66–64. Honvéd extended their lead to 13 points, but Atomerőmű fought back, with Eilingsfeld János receiving a second technical foul and being ejected. The final minute was intense, tied at 86–86, before Benke Szilárd secured the win for Atomerőmű with crucial free throws and a game-winning three-pointer, earning them their fifth bronze medal in the Hungarian Cup.
Results
Zsíros Tibor Men’s Basketball Hungarian Cup
Final
- NHSZ-Szolnoki Olajbányász – Falco-Vulcano Energia KC Szombathely 69–66 (20–13, 14–17, 17–16, 18–20)
Top scorers: Somogyi 23, Krnjajski 18, Barnes 11, and Peterson 20, Váradi 11
3rd place play-off
- Atomerőmű SE – Endo Plus Service-Honvéd 92–89 (29–16, 13–30, 22–20, 28–23)
(MTI)
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