The Hungarian team had high hopes for the Olympic qualifying match between Canada and Japan, as a Canadian victory would have meant the Hungarians would have earned a share of the Paris Olympics regardless of the outcome of the match against Spain.
It didn't happen in the end as Olympic silver medalists Japan played better throughout and eventually won 86-82. The first quarter ended with the score tied 20-20, but in the second quarter, Far East began to take the lead, shooting 3-pointers with 57.1% accuracy, and entering the break with a four-point lead.
The third quarter was Canada's first to win, but by only one point, but the momentum carried into the final quarter. With four minutes left, the score was 79-79, but the next four points were scored by Japan, and the Canadians committed spectacular technical fouls (step error, double start), so they had no chance to turn the score around.
Japan's win means that Hungary must almost certainly beat Spain in the match that starts at 5:30pm in order to qualify for the Paris Olympics – and at the same time, it may be somewhat easier for Spain to have already qualified for the Olympics due to Japan's win, so The match against Hungary will be without any stakes for them.
Basketball. feminine Olympic Qualifying Tournament, Sopron
3. Match day
Japan-Canada 86-82
Hungary-Spain 17.30 (TV: M4 Sport)
Photo: MTI/Tibor Elis
