Hungary U18

Ilias Van Hecke kept our young Lions ahead when it mattered most. The Belgium U18 guard finished with 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals in a 69–61 win over Hungary U18 in FIBA U18 EuroBasket Division B play, orchestrating the kind of defensive pressure that proved decisive in the final stretches. Van Hecke's ball pressure — those three steals stand out in a game decided by eight points — forced turnovers when Hungary needed clean possessions. It was not a vintage offensive performance, but it was the kind of role-player game this stage demands: floor management, effort on the other end, the willingness to be the third or fourth option and not force it. In a tournament where young Lions need to find their rhythm across multiple games, Van Hecke's two-way consistency is exactly what builds wins. Our youngsters move on with this one secured.

Belgium U18 held off a second-half Hungarian rally to secure an 8-point win in Division B play, 69–61.. Our boys were ruthless early. An 18-0 run in the opening quarter — sparked by a 3-2 deficit that became a 3-20 advantage — left Hungary chasing from the start. By the end of Q1, Belgium had built a 29–13 cushion. A quieter second quarter (6 points scored) allowed Hungary back in at 35–31 by half-time, but our youngsters regrouped in the third, extending the lead to 56–42. The fourth quarter remained close: Hungary outscored Belgium 17–12 as desperation defence tightened, and four lead changes made the closing minutes very tense. Aaron Ona Embo carried the offensive load with 26 points along with 5 assists and 2 steals. Christian Elocobe added 12 points and 3 assists; Ilias Van Hecke chipped in 10 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals. For Hungary, Vince Gaspar led with 15 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds, while Miklos Asztalos and Zalan Bartik each scored 11. Belgium's next assignment Poland awaits... in the Semi-Finals!

Aaron Ona Embo comes in hot against Hungary. Our young Lion is posting 22.6 points and 4.2 assists per game — a TIB Efficiency rating of 64.7 that leads this matchup by a distance. Across the floor, Miklos Asztalos has been Hungary's anchor at 14.8 PPG with a 43.9 rating, but the gap in recent form is stark. Belgium U18 has the sharper player on the floor tonight. Ona Embo's court vision and scoring touch have him operating at a different level to what Hungary can match through their own engine room. The question isn't whether our youngster can impose himself — it's whether Hungary can stay close enough to keep it competitive. Tipoff is about one minute away. Follow live.