Honved are back in the Hungarian League final for the first time in almost two decades after defeating BVSC twice by a single goal in the playoff semifinals.
The side coached by Marton Szivos advanced with a 9:3 points score, with both teams carrying three points from their regular-season meetings before the semifinal series began.
Honved, six-time Hungarian champions, last appeared in the final in the 2006/07 season, when they lost to Vasas. Before that defeat, the club had dominated the domestic scene, winning six consecutive national titles between 2001 and 2006.
Their semifinal against BVSC started later than the other playoff ties, as both teams had been involved in European competition, with Honved competing in the Conference Cup and BVSC in the Euro Cup.
BVSC hosted the opening game, but Honved struck first in the series with a dramatic 15:14 victory. The visitors led 8:7 at halftime and moved two goals clear during the third period at 11:9. In the final quarter, Honved built three-goal advantages at 12:9 and 13:10, but BVSC fought back and equalised at 14:14 with 51 seconds remaining.
It was only the second time BVSC had drawn level in the match, after previously making it 7:7 late in the second quarter. However, Honved had the final say. Henrik Simon scored with an extra player 27 seconds from time to restore Honved’s lead, and although BVSC had a man-up opportunity in the final possession, they could not convert.
Nikola Moskov once again led Honved with five goals, while Viktor Vadovics added three. Zsombor Ekler scored four for BVSC.
Honved then completed the job at home with another one-goal win, this time 13:12. Szivos’ team made a strong start, leading 4:1 after the opening quarter and stretching the margin to 7:3 in the second period.
BVSC, coached by Daniel Varga, responded after halftime and continued to push Honved throughout the second half. The hosts repeatedly restored three-goal leads in the third period at 8:5, 10:7 and 11:8, but BVSC cut the gap to one at 10:11 and again at 11:12.
With three minutes remaining, Moskov scored to make it 13:11, before Erik Csacsovszky reduced the deficit with 78 seconds left. There were no further goals, allowing Honved to hold on and secure their place in the final.
Moskov and Simon scored three goals each for Honved, while Csapo netted three for BVSC.
Honved will now face Ferencvaros in the final after FTC advanced from their semifinal against Szolnok following a 23:13 win in the opening match.
2026 Hungarian League playoffs
Semifinals, games 1 and 2
BVSC – Honved 14:15
Quarters: 4:6, 3:2, 2:3, 5:4
Honved – BVSC 13:12
Quarters: 4:1, 3:3, 4:6, 2:2
Final score in points: 9:3
Ferencvaros advanced to the final after the first semifinal match against Szolnok, winning 23:13.
5th-8th place semifinals, games 2 and 3
Szeged – OSC 13:9
Quarters: 2:3, 5:2, 1:3, 5:1
OSC – Szeged 13:14
Quarters: 5:5, 5:5, 2:3, 1:1
Final score in points: 6:9
Vasas advanced to the fifth-place match after the first game against Eger, winning 16:11.
Read more about Hungarian water polo
Visit the WP360 Shop!
Follow Waterpolo 360 on Facebook, Instagram and X