By Norbert Daum

The semi-final matchups for the Spring Masters tournament in Hungary have been confirmed. World No. 1 Israel will face a formidable challenge from Serbia, the rising force of the Unity League. In the other semi-final, host nation Hungary—considered one of the favorites—will take on surprise contender Slovakia.

The matches will take place on Friday, April 17, 2026, at one of the stadiums in Hungary’s capital, Budapest. The teams are already preparing for what is widely regarded as the most important tournament of the season, which will be filmed and covered by eight countries and will showcase European competition at its finest.

The first semi-final will pit top-ranked Israel, the reigning Grand Prix champion, against a powerful Serbian side. Israel is aiming to complete a historic double by adding the Masters title to its Grand Prix triumph. The task will be far from easy: Serbia is widely regarded as one of the world’s strongest teams, known for its attractive style of play and its determination to secure a place at the Grand Prix in Rio de Janeiro. The Israeli squad remains something of an enigma—several players have departed, new faces have joined, and an air of mystery surrounds the team led by uncompromising coach Oved Kraus. Still, few doubt that a strong Israeli side will take the field in Budapest.

In the second semi-final, expectations are that the Hungarian hosts will rediscover their form and advance to the final against Slovakia, whose very presence in the tournament has been a major surprise. With a new coach and an excellent atmosphere in the camp, Hungary is determined to return to the top and secure its place at the Grand Prix in Brazil by winning the tournament on home soil. Slovakia, for its part, displays considerable humility, yet the team—whose players have long played together and demonstrate cohesive, team-oriented football—will not easily surrender the chance to continue its remarkable run and reach the summit.

Hungarian organizers are working tirelessly to deliver another unforgettable event in the proud tradition of the World League