The Hungarian women’s water polo team secured a silver medal at the World Championship in Singapore after a 12-9 loss to Greece in the final on Wednesday afternoon.
Greeks Too Strong in World Championship Final
The Hungarian team’s performance, while earning them a silver medal, highlighted areas for improvement according to both the head coach and key players.
- Hungary fell to Greece 12-9 in the World Championship final.
- Head coach Sándor Cseh admitted Greece was superior and the team isn’t yet at world championship level.
- Key player Rita Keszthelyi noted the team only played freely after the match was decided.
- Legendary goalkeeper Orsolya Szalkay felt the gold medal fate was sealed early in the game.
Hungary’s women’s water polo team displayed its weakest form in the World Cup final against Greece on Wednesday afternoon in Singapore. After the first eight minutes, they had only managed one goal. By the third quarter, Greece had extended its lead to three goals (12-9), ultimately securing the victory and leaving Hungary with a silver medal.
Following the match, national team captain Sándor Cseh offered a candid assessment.
It is completely unnecessary to evaluate a match where they had no chance of winning, Greece was much better. The biggest task in the future is that the game that has been successfully solved once will not cause a problem two days later. I always look for the good after five minutes. I like to work with this team, I want to develop with these players and think about the future. But we may not be on the World Championship level. We’re good, but if we want to be world champions, we can’t throw the ball out of the water from the first attack, it’s so simple. We still have a lot to practice but I’m sure I won’t give up.
Keszthelyi: “We Only Played Liberated When the Ship Was Gone”
Rita Keszthelyi, who was named the tournament’s most valuable player, expressed that the team could still leave Singapore with their heads held high.
I think it was a very good World Championship, with the exception of the final, we did well in every match. We can go home with a raised head because we lost to a Greek team that was better today and had the luck with them. Unfortunately, we only played liberated when the ship was gone.
Keszthelyi, a veteran of ten World Championships, told reporters that this is a new, developing team with many players experiencing their first World Championship. She believes that “with diligence, humility and lots of work, this will be even brighter.”
Szalkay: Gold Medal Fate Decided Early
Orsolya Szalkay, a celebrated goalkeeper who helped Hungary to World Championship gold in 1994, watched the final on her phone. She praised the current Hungarian goalkeeper, Bogi Neszmély, calling her an “excellent” performer who wasn’t to blame for the defeat.
Szalkay drew a parallel between her gold medal-winning team and the current squad’s silver. “At that time, we weren’t in the final,” she recalled. “Last year, the Dutch ran through seven victories at the Sheffield European Championships; we were bronze medalists, the Dutch had the flag. And we managed to upset the paper!” She noted that Hungary’s first shots missed the target, allowing Greece to build a 5-1 lead, and the team only managed one goal over a twelve-minute stretch.
She acknowledged the tactical prowess of Greek coach Harisz Pavlidisz, whose “irreparable, zoning defense” proved difficult to counter. Szalkay also highlighted two standout Greek players, Triha and Santa, both only twenty years old, for their speed and powerful shots.
Looking ahead, Szalkay noted the ongoing generational change within the Hungarian team, mentioning players like Fanni, Kata Hajdú, and Eszter Sewing. She believes these younger athletes, still finding their footing between age groups and senior competition, will eventually lead the team to future world championships.
World Water Championship, Singapore 2025 Results
Water Polo Finals:
- Hungary – Greece: 9-12 (1-3, 3–5, 2–2, 3-2)
Bronze Match:
- United States – Spain: 12-13 (2–4, 2–3, 5-4, 3-2)
