The decline of Hungarian football,from being one of the genuine global powers to eternal minnows, is one of football’s most fascinating and perplexing subjects. To modern Hungary, Ferenc Puskas, Nandor Hideguti and Sandor Kocsis represent a proud past when the Magical Magyars charmed the world with their progressive style, playing a game seemingly from a future era.
But as high as the euphoria they created was, the fall has been equally as dramatic as the ‘National Eleven’ arrive in France for a major tournament for the first time in 30 years. It’s also only their third appearance in these championships having finished third and fourth in the reduced versions back in 1964 and 1972, with Bernd Storck’s side out to prove they are not the worst in the competition.
On paper, at least, the omens don’t look promising as 40-year-old Gabor Kiraly and 37-year-old Zoltan Gera retain key roles in the team, emphasising the lack of options available to Storck. At the same time, their presence should provide a calming authority to a group of players with zero major tournament experience. Qualification was achieved after finishing third in Group F below Northern Ireland and Romania and then beating Norway in the two-legged play-off.
It was those games which impressed probably more than the preceding 10 matches as the Hungarians were considered underdogs to advance. Fate has dealt them a manageable group – with the exception of Portugal – alleviating fears they could prove tournament whipping boys.
Storck wants this experience to be a stepping stone for potential World Cup qualification as positive performances can inspire the public back home; let’s hope they use the time wisely as Hungary are unlikely to be around for too long.
STRENGTHS
Other than the obvious pace and drive of Dzsudzsak from the wing, the side’s unknown qualities may play in their favour. Zoltan Gera offers control in midfield while Adam Szalai has pedrigree in front of goal, although it’s at least two seasons since we saw the best of him in the Bundesliga.
WEAKNESSES
Their lack of experience at the top level of European domestic football, let alone the international stage, is a worry. They are short of quality outside a few individuals and although he may be a national hero, it says a lot that Gabor Kiraly, at 40, is first choice No1. Although the grey sweatpant-wearing keeper will break Lothar Matthaus’ record as the tournament’s oldest player.
STAR MAN – BALAZS DZSUDSZAK
Became most expensive Hungarian of all-time when Dinamo Moscow bought him for €19 million (Dh77.7m) from PS V Eindhoven in 2012, having been linked with several moves to some of Europe’s more glamourous locations. It is a massive tournament for the winger and one he goes into, at the age of 29, knowing it offers a huge opportunity to showcase his talent to a bigger audience and inspire his nation’s next generation of footballers. One of the few genuine wingers in the tournament who will be guaranteed a starting berth and should impress with his incisive finishing, passing and darting runs. His end product can be a little inconsistent but when he’s on his game he’s a truly exhilarating presence on the field.
For all the optimism of having a friendly group to combat, Hungary’s expectations will be low. Their first assignment will be to give a good account of themselves; any kind of results after that will be a bonus.
