In recent years, Hungary’s national football team has shown signs of resurgence, reminiscent, though not quite matching, the glory of their golden era in the mid-20th century. As Euro 2024 approaches, Hungary, under the guidance of Italian manager Marco Rossi, has demonstrated formidable form, making them potential dark horses in the tournament. Qualifying impressively for their third consecutive Euros—after a long absence since 1972—Hungary topped Group G without a loss, notably securing home and away victories against Serbia.
Key players have emerged, vital to Hungary’s success. Ferencvaros forward Barnabas Varga and midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, both leading scorers in the qualifiers with four goals each, are central to the team’s aspirations of advancing beyond the group stage, echoing their 2016 performance in France. Szoboszlai, at just 23, captains the team and has shone in the English Premier League with Liverpool this season, demonstrating resilience and form following his transfer from RB Leipzig.
Goalkeeper Denes Dibusz is expected to be preferred over Peter Gulacsi, reflecting the depth in the squad. The defense boasts extensive experience with players like Attila Szalai, Willi Orban, Adam Lang, Loic Nego, and Endre Botka, who collectively have accumulated over 250 international caps.
Hungary’s confidence is further bolstered by recent performances against top European teams. In the 2022 Nations League, they defied expectations by finishing second in their group, missing out on the finals by just one point to Italy. Notable achievements included victories over England and a commendable draw and win against Germany. This resilience and capability were highlighted when they defeated Germany 1-0 in Leipzig, an early goal from veteran Adam Szalai sealing the victory.
The historical context of Hungarian football, marked by the Magical Magyars’ era led by Ferenc Puskas, adds a rich backdrop to the current team’s achievements. Puskas, a legendary figure in football, helped Hungary to Olympic gold in 1952 and a runner-up finish at the 1954 World Cup. The subsequent Olympic victories in 1964 and 1968 are also significant, though the team’s impact dwindled post-1972.
Marco Rossi’s tenure as coach since 2018 has been transformative, focusing on reconnecting the team with its fanbase and reigniting national enthusiasm for football. Rossi’s efforts have eased the pressure of historical comparisons, instead fostering a new chapter of Hungarian football.
Hungary will start Euro 2024 against Switzerland on June 15, followed by a key match against tournament hosts Germany on June 19 in Stuttgart, and will conclude their group stage against Scotland on June 23. With a blend of seasoned players, emerging talents, and recent strong performances, Hungary is poised not just to participate but to impact Euro 2024 significantly, continuing to build on their storied but evolving football legacy.
Major Points
- Hungary, led by Italian manager Marco Rossi, excelled in Euro 2024 qualifying, topping their group without a loss and showing potential as dark horses in the tournament.
- Key players for Hungary include forward Barnabas Varga and midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, both top scorers in qualifying, with Szoboszlai also impressing at Liverpool.
- The team boasts experienced defense with players like Attila Szalai and Willi Orban, contributing to their solid performance in recent international matches.
- Hungary’s surprising success in the 2022 Nations League included beating England twice and achieving a win and a draw against Germany, underscoring their competitive capability.
- The national team aims to recapture the enthusiasm of the Hungarian football era led by Ferenc Puskas, as they prepare for challenging matches against Switzerland, Germany, and Scotland in Euro 2024.
RM Tomi – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
