Ferencvaros have taken the first step towards retaining their Hungarian League title after beating Honved 13-9 in the opening match of the best-of-five final series.
The reigning champions and clear favourites eventually pulled away to win by four goals, but the scoreline did not fully reflect how competitive the game was for much of the contest. Honved pushed Ferencvaros hard and remained in the match until the closing stages of the third quarter.
In fact, it was Honved who made the stronger start. Viktor Vadovics converted a man-up for the opening goal, setting the tone for a first half in which the visitors repeatedly edged in front. Honved took a one-goal lead five times before the break, with Ferencvaros forced to respond each time.
From 0-1 through to 5-5, the two sides traded goals in a tight and physical battle. Ferencvaros only went ahead for the first time in the 15th minute, when Vendel Vigvari scored to make it 6-5.
Honved refused to disappear. Szepfalvi levelled the match at 6-6 in the 19th minute, keeping the pressure firmly on the favourites. Ferencvaros then produced their first real burst of control, scoring twice in succession to build a two-goal lead for the first time at 8-6 midway through the third quarter.
Even then, Honved stayed close. With 53 seconds remaining in the third period, they reduced the deficit to 8-7, giving themselves a chance heading into the final quarter.
But the decisive moment came in the final half-minute of the third. Ferencvaros struck twice in 29 seconds through Fekete and Nagy, suddenly turning a narrow one-goal lead into a 10-7 advantage. That late burst shifted the momentum completely.
Ferencvaros carried that rhythm into the fourth quarter, adding two more goals by the midway point to move 12-7 ahead and effectively secure the victory. Honved continued to compete, but the champions had done enough to take control of the series.
Fekete led the scoring for Ferencvaros with four goals, while Vigvari added three. For Honved, Moskov and Ekler both scored twice.
Ferencvaros now lead the final series 1-0.
Results
2026 Hungarian League, playoffs
Final, Game 1
Ferencvaros 13-9 Honved
Quarters: 3-4, 3-1, 4-2, 3-2
Scorers
Ferencvaros: Fekete 4, Vigvari 3, Jansik 2, Nagy 1, Vamos 1, Argyropoulos 1, Varga 1.
Honved: Moskov 2, Ekler 2, Kevi 1, Bencz 1, Vadovics 1, Smon 1, Szepfalvi 1.
3rd-place playoffs, Game 1
BVSC 16-11 Szolnok
Quarters: 4-1, 5-5, 4-1, 3-4
5th-place playoffs, Games 1 and 2
Vasas 26-13 Szeged
Quarters: 4-2, 6-4, 8-4, 8-3
Szeged 11-10 Vasas
Quarters: 4-3, 2-4, 2-1, 3-2
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