HUN - Dubei and Studer taking Hungary to new heights

KLATOVY (FIBA U17 World Championship for Women) – Last year Debora Dubei and Agnes Studer helped Hungary to win their first medal at U16 level since 1976 and now they are making an impact on a global scale at the FIBA U17 World Championship for Women.
 
Their first two outings in Klatovy have resulted in two memorable wins against Canada and Czech Republic - although it hasn't been easy on the nerves or heart after needing overtime on both occasions.

Playing in the white-hot atmosphere created by a rousing support for the hometown Czechs, Hungary managed to prevail 88-85 in the second of those games, with Studer coming up big during overtime and Dubei amassing a scintillating 27 points.

"I was very excited and I had some downs during the game, but the team was strong and so was I, which was important," reflected Studer.

"We hadn't beaten Czech Republic in the last couple of years and we really wanted to do this for both the win itself and because it was very important to give us even more confidence.

"It was quite difficult to play in the atmosphere and especially on the free-throw line, because we were not used at youth level to having so many fans making so much noise and booing us.

"But, it also gave us an extra kick and determination to show everyone that we could win the game.

As for her major contributions in the extra session, Studer says the reason was quite simple: "I saw that some of the other key players in the team were getting tired and needed a lift in overtime.

"I felt an impulse to do something extra and so I just tried it and it worked out for us.

"It feels really great to play in a FIBA World Championship youth event for the first time and especially as I am one of the younger players on the team.

"I just hope that I can learn a lot from it."

Dubei, meanwhile, was the established leader for Hungary coming into the competition and her contributions so far have shown why.

Like her national team colleague, she also reiterated the importance of beating the Czech team and, after last year's bronze medal at the U16 European Championship, she is now cautiously eyeing up yet another podium challenge.

"It was important mentally because we didn't succeed in the past against Czech Republic.

"During the first half, I was able to make some crucial shots and after half-time, other players made them and my team-mates all stepped up.

"Now we have a real chance to win the group, advance to the best eight and perhaps to the best four in the tournament.

"We have already shown what we are capable of doing at European level and so far in this competition, we have shown that we can win against anyone."

Hungary will wrap up their Group A campaign against Korea on Tuesday.

FIBA