Funchal, Portugal – The Hungarian women’s water polo team secured a spot in the European Championship final, defeating Greece 5-4 in a penalty shootout on , February 4, 2026. The victory sets up a highly anticipated rematch against the Netherlands on , February 6, 2026, for the championship title.
This marks the tenth time Hungary will compete for the European Championship title, with nine previous victories. The Netherlands, currently leading the overall rankings, will be seeking their seventh title. Hungary will be aiming for their fourth.
The match against Greece was a tense affair, mirroring previous encounters between the two teams. Hungary captain Rita Keszthelyi was named the most valuable player, highlighting her crucial role in the win. Keszthelyi emphasized the team’s preparation for Greece’s defensive strategies, noting they had successfully implemented lessons learned from a prior preparatory match. She specifically pointed to their ability to exploit the Greek defense when their center player moved inwards.
The Hungarian team demonstrated resilience, overcoming a challenging game where numerous attacks were called back for offensive fouls, particularly in the second and third quarters. Captain Keszthelyi noted that head coach Sándor Cseh addressed the team during a timeout, urging them to maintain discipline and focus despite the calls. Cseh also reminded the team not to falter when falling behind, and to focus on defensive solidity.
Keszthelyi, who has been a mainstay of the Hungarian national team since 2009, expressed her gratitude for the continued trust placed in her by the coaching staff and teammates. She highlighted the importance of teamwork and the collective effort that has propelled the team to this point.
The Netherlands proved formidable in their own semi-final, defeating Italy 8-4. Kitty Lynn Joustra currently leads the tournament’s scoring charts, tied with 21 goals, while Laura Aarts is recognized as one of the most effective goalkeepers in the competition.
Hungary and the Netherlands have a rich history in European Championship finals. Prior to 2016, they faced off in 1985 and 1987 in round-robin formats, with the Netherlands emerging victorious both times (19-4 and 11-8 respectively). In 1989, Hungary lost 14-11, but they secured a 11-8 win in 1991. The most recent final between the two nations was in 2016, where Hungary triumphed 9-7, earning them a qualification spot for the Rio Olympics.
The 2016 victory saw Hungary take the lead by halftime, 5-4, and ultimately secure the win with goals from Tóth Ildikó. Gangl Edina’s performance in goal was also pivotal in shutting down the Dutch attack in the final eight minutes, where they were held scoreless.
Several players from the 2016 championship-winning team are still part of the current Hungarian squad, including Krisztina Garda and Rita Keszthelyi. Barbara Bujka, who scored two goals in the semi-final, is also present, though she now represents the German national team.
Kamilla Faragó, a Hungarian attacker, described the feeling of scoring a crucial goal in the closing minutes against Greece as “liberating and uplifting.” She emphasized the importance of continuing to improve their offensive performance, noting that they haven’t consistently reached four goals per game. Faragó also stressed the need to maintain their strong defensive play and capitalize on power-play opportunities.
Hungary’s recent record against the Netherlands demonstrates a shift in momentum. While the Netherlands won their most recent encounter in the group stage of the current championship, Hungary has won three of their last four meetings, including victories in the quarter-finals of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, the semi-final of the 2022 World Championships, and the quarter-final of the 2024 World Championships.
The final between Hungary and the Netherlands promises to be a thrilling contest, with both teams showcasing exceptional skill and determination throughout the tournament. The match is scheduled for local time on , February 6, 2026, and will be broadcast on M4 Sport and Kossuth and Nemzeti Sportrádió.
