Zalakeramia Edges OSE Lions in Népstadion Thriller

In a heart-stopping Nemzeti Bajnokság I/A fixture on May 17, 2026, Zalakeramia survived a late rally from OSE Lions to claim a 91–89 victory. The sold-out arena in Zalaegerszeg witnessed a contest that featured 13 lead changes and a final possession that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

Match Overview

Both teams traded baskets throughout the first half, with Zalakeramia holding a narrow 46–44 lead at the break. The third quarter saw OSE Lions seize control with a 12–0 run, but the home side responded with a 9–2 spurt to tie the game at 71 entering the fourth. The final minutes were a tense battle of free throws and clutch shots.

Key Moments

• Fourth-quarter turnaround: Down 83–79 with 3 minutes left, Zalakeramia's guard Ádám Kovács drilled a deep three and then stole the inbound pass, leading to a layup that tied the game.
• Game-winning free throws: With 3.2 seconds remaining, forward Tamás Szabó was fouled on a drive and calmly sank both free throws to make it 91–89.
• Missed opportunity: OSE Lions called timeout and inbounded to their star shooter, but his contested three-pointer rimmed out as time expired.

Tactical Story

Zalakeramia's offense flowed through the pick-and-roll, where their big men rolled hard to the rim, drawing fouls and creating space for perimeter shooters. OSE Lions countered with a zone defense that forced Zalakeramia into 15 turnovers, but the visitors struggled to convert those turnovers into points in transition, shooting just 2-of-9 on fast breaks.

Standout Players

• Ádám Kovács (Zalakeramia): 27 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds – the game's best player made crucial plays down the stretch.
• Tamás Szabó (Zalakeramia): 18 points, 10 rebounds – a double-double that included the winning free throws.
• Milan Popović (OSE Lions): 24 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals – nearly carried his team to victory.

Season Impact

Zalakeramia improved to 16–8, strengthening their hold on third place in the Nemzeti Bajnokság I/A standings. OSE Lions dropped to 13–11, but remain in the playoff hunt. The win also extended Zalakeramia's home winning streak to seven games, making them one of the toughest venues in the league.