Sport

The Famous Magyar Agár: Dog Racing in Hungary

magyar agár Hungarian greyhound

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Dog racing has long been a popular pastime in Eastern Europe, with Hungary boasting some of the continent’s most impressive tracks. Alsonémedi Greyhound Park, Isaszeg greyhound track, and Rábapatona race track are three of the finest, offering the Hungarian people access to a historic sport.

A trip to the races is hugely popular in Hungary, with an obsession for dog racing stemming from the love of the nation’s most famous dog, the Magyar agár.

Hungarian Dog Racing and the Iconic Kincsem Park

There are several premium facilities across Hungary that provide the perfect day out for dog racing fans. Kincsem Park is the jewel in Hungary’s racing crown and even rivals some of the best venues in Europe, including England’s famous Towcester.

For the past two years, Towcester has hosted some of the fastest dogs in the sport at the English Greyhound Derby, with famed hounds such as Fromposttopillar (15.00), Hopes Paddington (17.00) and Romeo Command (17.00) leading the latest greyhound betting odds for this year’s event.

The 400m Hungarian Greyhound Derby is the most iconic race held at Kincsem, with thousands of greyhound enthusiasts flocking to Budapest in July to watch the annual action unfold. The venue has even hosted festival days such as the 2022 International Horse and Greyhound competition, where attendees enjoyed European Derby racing, live music, and food from different cultures.

Kincsem Park is best known as a horse racing venue but opened its sparkling new greyhound track in 2015, thus diversifying its offering. As well as the Hungarian Derby, Kincsem hosts several events throughout the year with races taking place over 250 and 400 meters.

Although the Hungarian agár is no longer a racing dog, visitors to Kincsem Park can witness some incredibly prestigious events featuring some of the fastest competitors in the sport.

magyar agár Hungarian greyhound

Greyhound racing continues to thrive in many countries – particularly Hungary – and plenty of high-profile facilities remain across Europe. Kincsem Park has shown that by integrating a dog racing track into a multi-use facility, new fans can be attracted to ensure the future of greyhound racing remains bright.

History of the Magyar Agár

Also known as the Hungarian greyhound, the agár closely resembles a typical greyhound. Roughly 1,000 years ago, this dog could be found in abundance across the country, with exclusive agár racing enjoyed amongst the Hungarian elite.

greyhound-racing

Following the turn of the 20th century, the Hungarian greyhound vanished. It wasn’t until the mid-1900s that anything was done to protect the country’s famed sighthound. However, after much effort, a number of agárs were located and a breeding program left them thriving.

The Magyar agár is now considered a national treasure and the dog was honored recently when the Hungarian mint released a coin dedicated to the country’s sighthound. The coin was the third to be released in a series celebrating Eastern European dogs, with the vizsla and komondor coins printed in 2019 and 2020.

The sighthound has become synonymous with Hungarian culture, and although its days of racing are over, the thriving Magyar agár are kept as companions across the country and sometimes feature in conformation shows thanks to their beauty.

Why do Hungarians support „last Mohican” Fernando Alonso in Formula 1?

alonso

A huge portion of Hungarian Formula 1 fans support two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, who turns 42 this year. But why do the Spanish driver enjoy such popularity in a country that “only” hosts a race a year?

Fernando Alonso may celebrate his 42nd birthday this year, but he’s still in a great shape. He still has that speed and resilience that won him two world championship titles, which could be four with just a touch more luck.

The Spanish Samurai could deal a huge blow this year as well. After a risky move to Aston Martin from Alpine – where he previously won his two world titles – seems to pay off big times, with the British squad making huge gains.

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Alonso could challenge for podiums and wins this year. This prospect might make Hungarian F1 fans go absolutely ballistic. But why do Hungarian F1 fans support Alonso instead of other younger F1 superstars like Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, or the new British superstar Lando Norris?

First, we must understand the differences between who watches Formula 1 globally and in Hungary. Recently – with the invaluable help of Netflix’s docudrama series Drive to Survive more and more young people started to watch F1. The growth is especially noticeable if we take a look at the gender of new supporters.

Female participants in F1’s recent Global Fan Survey almost doubled, with ESPN also reporting a record-high share of females in their audience. That change, however, is slow in Hungary, as the audience still mostly consists of middle-aged males.

Sports should be apolitical, according to Hungarians

Younger drivers like Norris likes to talk about the mental health issues of sportsman, while others like Lewis Hamilton started to embrace their position to talk about human rights issues.

These topics do not resonate well with the more conservative Hungarian audience, which likes to see sports and politics as separate entities.

Instead of dealing with intangible ideas in a sporting environment, Alonso lives for one thing: racing. He does not need to draw strength from a cause close to his heart, his sheer willpower and motivation are enough for him to keep going at 41.

That aspect of his character clearly appeals to the Hungarian audience. Also, let’s not forget that Alonso is the last driver who is contemporary for a large chunk of Hungarian F1 fans. Fernando Alonso reminds people of simpler times.

The fact that he does not comment on any issues other drivers are concerned with and fully focuses on racing, for Hungarians he embodies the perfect archetype of an F1 driver. He is the last Mohican of an era, where motorsport did not have such a pronounced social responsibility.

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A look at the greatest Hungarian hockey players

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In mid-May, the annual IIHF World Championships will kick off for all teams in the top division. This year, the tournament will be hosted in Riga, Latvia, and Tampere, Finland. For Hungarian fans of ice hockey, it’s a big year for the Magyars, who earned a promotion to the top division after last year’s tournament.

In terms of sports betting, most of Hungary’s markets are usually focused on rugby, handball, and football. However, fans of ice hockey can wager on leagues from the NHL for NHL betting. Those who have been closely following the world’s most popular leagues, along with international events like the IIHF’s World Championship, are waiting on a Hungarian player to make headlines. 

While three have been drafted into the world’s biggest league, the NHL, none have made illustrious careers on the ice. However, that could change. With Hungary’s national team promoted to the top division for the upcoming IIHF championship, could there be a few breakout players that turn their experience into a potential move to the NHL?

Let’s dive into the possibility, along with covering two of Hungary’s most influential hockey stars.

All Eyes on the IIHF 2023 Men’s Championship Game

In terms of national ice hockey, the Magyars have been an active part of the IIHF. While their Olympic performances haven’t yielded any high results, the team tends to wade around a world ranking of No. 20 or No. 21. Their highest appearance was at No. 19 during a hot streak back in 2012—which is a long way from the team’s inaugural game in 1927, which they lost to Austria 6-0.

So, what would a high finish at the IIHF mean for ice hockey in the country? In reality, a good performance could help foster needed change in the current system. Statista reports that the number of registered ice hockey players in the country has risen from just over 2,000 in 2010 to just over 7,100 in 2018.

Clearly, the IIHF is a major event for these fans. The better the team performs, the more publicity the IIHF World Championship and the Magyars receive. More attention often equates to more funding, which is especially important considering Hungary only has around forty ice rinks viable for hosting professional games. 

Papp Seeking Out a Spot in North America

One of Hungary’s most promising hockey talents is Kristóf Papp. Papp most recently played for Michigan State University as one of the Spartans’ top players. Papp’s interest in hockey began at a young age, while his parents helped encourage his interest. That even meant moving from Budapest to Los Angeles to play for the NHL’s LA Kings’ U21 side, the Junior Kings.

Since then, he’s jumped around on multiple teams. While it hasn’t been enough to land him a spot in the NHL Draft, he’s been able to gain experience in the USHL and, most recently, playing in the NCAA with the Spartans. For now, it’s unclear whether Papp will continue to look to build his career in the US. For now, he’s the sole representative of Hungarian ice hockey in North America.

ice hockey nhl

Frank Banham, Forward

One of Hungary’s leading hockey stars wasn’t actually born within the country. Instead, Frank Banham was born in Calahoo, Alberta—albeit to Hungarian parents. Having grown up in the Great White North, hockey was a part of Banham’s life growing up. Back in 1993, he was drafted 147th overall into the NHL.

He played a few games for the then-Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, along with the Phoenix Coyotes. He spent even more time with their AHL affiliates as a right winger. However, most of Banham’s career blossomed abroad, where he spent time playing in Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, and beyond.

Levente Szuper, Goalie

If there’s one clear champion of Hungarian ice hockey, it’s Levente Szuper. Born in Budapest, Szuper was eventually drafted into the NHL in 2000. He played with the Calgary Flames for a few seasons, then left to play in other leagues like the AHL, DEL, and Serie A.

However, Szuper’s greatest influence has been on domestic hockey. In 2009, he played on the Magyars team that won promotion to the top division of the IIHF. Today, he continues to foster ice hockey growth by coaching the Erste Liga side Schiller-Vasas HC.

Hungarian man becomes a member of the World Aquatics body

Wladár Sándor

Sándor Wladár, the head of the Hungarian Swimming Association (MÚSZ), has assumed membership of the World Aquatics (WA) Bureau, MUSZ said on Thursday.

WA President Husain Al-Musallam praised ties between the governing body and Hungary at a meeting of the Bureau. MÚSZ has not only been a reliable partner for years, but that the quality of the organisation of events held in Budapest sets the “absolute standard” for all other hosts, he said, adding that Wladar played a prominent role in this.

Al-Musallam said the knowledge and experience of an Olympic champion was always of special value in the management of a sports organisation.

Wladár said: “It is an honour to become a member of the World Aquatics Bureau. Hungary has exceptional significance in the world of swimming and water polo sports, which means this assignment is both an honour and an extraordinary responsibility, and I will do my best to represent our interests as successfully as our athletes have performed in recent years and decades.”

MUSZ nominated Wladár after the expiry of the mandate of the previous member, Balázs Fürjes, a government state secretary, who indicated that he could not undertake another term due to important government and sports diplomacy assignments.

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Hungary to host a renowned sport’s European Championship!

Hungary has been awarded the right to host the 2024 European Rowing Championships after the withdrawal of Sabaudia in Italy, the Hungarian Rowing Federation said on Tuesday.

The event will be held in Szeged, in southern Hungary, between 25 and 28 April, the statement said. Some 1,200 participants are expected to arrive from 38-40 countries for the event. The last time Hungary hosted the European rowing championships for adults was 53 years ago, the statement said.

Szeged will also be a host to the International Olympiad in Informatics in summer

Secondary school students from around a hundred countries will participate in the 35th International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) to be held in Szeged, in southern Hungary, from 28 August, an official of the ministry of economic development said on Tuesday. Szabolcs Szolnoki, the deputy state secretary for technology, told a press conference that Hungary won the right to host the event for the second time. It first hosted the event in 1996.

Every country will be represented by four contestants. Hungary, as the organiser, will have eight students competing, he said. Around 1,000 people, including accompanying staff, will attend the event, he added. Competitions will be held on 28 August and 4 September, and the event has been timed to coincide with the 120th birth anniversary of mathematician John von Neumann.

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European Rally Events Worth Watching In 2023 

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Each semester comes with its own obligations and coursework that may be difficult to manage. What starts with a light workload can quickly snowball into a jam-packed calendar full of assignments and projects. In such instances, it’s easy to overlook the need for extracurricular activities. 

However, watching auto races, such as rallying, can be a good way to unwind. The longstanding motorsport has its fair share of thrills, drama, and surprising turn of events to keep you wanting more. As drivers race through each stage, pushing their cars to the limit, fans and spectators are treated to a show of automotive prowess. 

You can watch live coverage of rally events at home though you can also see it in person as a spectator. Whichever option you choose, be sure to hire an essay writer to help with your coursework. You’ll unwind from a busy school schedule and relax while an experienced writer takes care of your schoolwork. 

Here are five events you should check out in 2023.

FIA European Rallycross Championship (21 May – 13 November)

The FIA European Rallycross Championship happens annually across multiple European countries. It’s a high-octane sport with five competitors racing between four and six short laps over asphalt and gravel. The stakes are high, and there’s minimal room for error.  

For 2023, each round will take place in one of 7 countries, namely:  

  • Hungary 
  • Sweden 
  • Norway
  • Latvia 
  • Portugal
  • Belgium
  • Germany

Rally Finland (3 – 6 August)

The WRC circuit has some notable stops, and one of them is Finland. A stage that sticks out, in particular, is Ouninpohja. It’s been described as one of the greatest stages in Finland, marked by astonishing speeds and high jumps. You won’t regret tuning in or being a spectator at this race.

EKO Acropolis Rally Greece (7 – 10 September)

The Acropolis is a historical fixture in the WRC circuit known for being unforgiving to careless drivers. Stages consist of twisty mountain roads littered with rocks and dust, which can quickly lead to mechanical issues. You can tune in to the event online but ensure you’ve installed a good antivirus to be safe against malicious links. Drivers also have to contend with high temperatures making this an interesting race to watch.

FIA European Cup for Cross-Country Bajas (14 April – 22 October)

Organized by the FIA to run concurrently with the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas, this new rally raid event is sure to bring excitement across the continent. Now in its third year, the contest will run for six months across five countries:

  • Spain
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Portugal
  • Turkey 

Central Europe Rally (26 – 29 October)

rally

A new fixture in the 2023 WRC Calendar, the Central Europe Rally, will test drivers’ skills purely on tarmac roads. It’s also the first WRC event to happen across three countries, namely: 

  • Austria
  • Czech Republic
  • Germany

Since it’s the first of its kind, it’s hard to predict the outcome, although it’s bound to be an interesting event. Make it memorable by being among the first to watch the contest in person when it starts in October! 

Final thoughts

Finding the right extracurricular activity to take your mind off school can be challenging. However, with the host of motorsport events happening throughout the year, you’ll always have something to look forward to. For more excitement, make a plan with friends or take a solo trip to experience at least one of these races in person.   

Hungary’s most famous ski park in danger? Price rises do not cover costs

Snowboard and Ski Park Mátraszentistván Hungary1

The Mátraszentistván Ski Park, the highest and most popular ski resort in Hungary, has had an above average season so far. Although prices have risen considerably, the situation is still bearable, at least as the heavy tourist flow proves.

COVID-19 has been replaced by galloping inflation

With many neighbouring countries in total closure, the Hungarian ski resort at 822 metres above sea level has seen record levels of visitors for two years and last year, despite the pandemic. Czechs, Slovaks and Poles had nowhere to ski but in the Mátra. Even ski tourists from distant, exotic countries such as Israel came to Mátraszentistván.

The 7 degrees Celsius temperature down in the valley did not scare off visitors, as the 30 snow machines in the ski park ensure zero temperatures up there, Tamás Erbeszkorn, the sports centre’s press officer, said to Index.hu.

Snowboard and Ski Park Mátraszentistván Hungary2
Photo: Facebook/Sípark Mátraszentistván

The ski park is running at almost full capacity. The hut has everything you could possibly want, as long as you have a big budget. Prices have certainly gone up since 2021. Back then, 0,2 litre of mulled wine cost HUF 800 (EUR 2.05), and 0,3 litre was HUF 1,000 (EUR 2.57). Now it’s HUF 1000 and 1450 (EUR 2.57 and 3.72). A plate of bean goulash HUF 2950 (EUR 7.58), a fried pork cutlet with a side dish costs HUF 4400 (EUR 11.30).

“Last season was our best yet, we welcomed skiers for 107 days without a break, a record since 2004, when the ski park opened. In 2021, for example, the season only had to end in April, when the snow vanished”

said Tamás Erbeszkorn.

The closures of the Ski Park are part of the deal

The season started on 19 December 2022. They were open for 20 days, then a fierce heat front arrived and they had to close. They reopened last weekend. The fact that the park had to be closed for two weeks this year is part of the deal, the press officer points out, two out of ten years there is a break.

Snowboard and Ski Park Mátraszentistván Hungary1
Photo: Facebook/Sípark Mátraszentistván

Now the snow cover has a thickness of between 40 and 80 centimetres, of course only part of it is natural snow, the rest is made up from the snow cannon, adds Tamás. Next week, when the temperatures drop to minus 10 degrees Celsius, the snow will be at its best.

The water needed for snowmaking is provided by four small reservoirs. The melting snow is not wasted, it flows back into the lower pond and is then cannoned again, so the recycling process is in full rotation. One snow cannon costs roughly HUF 7 million (EUR 18,000), and the old ones are being replaced with digital new ones.

The price increase only covers a fraction of the cost

According to Index, a one-day ski pass costs EUR 53 in Obertauern, Austria’s top ski resort. In Mátraszentistván, a full-price day pass costs HUF 13,500 (EUR 34.67), up from HUF 10,000 (EUR 25.68) last year – a 35 percent increase, although electricity prices have risen tenfold, so the ticket price increase only covers a fraction of the cost. They are trying to bring prices in line with increases in ski parks of similar category and conditions in other countries, mainly in Slovakia and Slovenia.

A daily ski lift ticket costs HUF 13,500 (EUR 34.67), renting a pair of skis for a day costs about the same, HUF 13,000 (EUR 33.38), says a guest. If you hire a personal trainer, it’s another HUF 13,000, but if you join a group, it’s only HUF 7,000 (EUR 17.97).

Snowboard and Ski Park Mátraszentistván Hungary1
Photo: Facebook/Sípark Mátraszentistván

There is one chair lift, built at a cost of no less than HUF 900 million (EUR 2,311,057) a few years ago, and the others are so-called “chock ski lifts”, where skiers tow themselves to the top while standing.

There are ten trails, the steepest of which, which is suitable for FIS races, is closed for now. The longest track is 1,200 metres long, the red track is now open, and the Lovers’ track is now also in operation, where the lights add to the special atmosphere. The Ski Park, open every Friday and Saturday until 8 PM, is for those who come specifically for romantic night skiing, but for early arrivals on weekends, the slopes open at 8 AM to allow for uncrowded skiing.

Russians represent Hungary at the European Figure Skating Championships

European Figure Skating Championships 2023

The Hungarian National Skating Federation (Magyar Országos Korcsolyázó Szövetség, MOKSZ) has chosen mainly Russian competitors to participate in the European Figure Skating Championships. There is only one Hungarian-born among the six competitors. The other five competitors include one Ukrainian-born and four born in Russia.

The championships are held 25-29 January in Espoo, Finland. For almost a year now, it has become common for Russia to be banned from participating in international competitions because of the war.

How can Russian competitors still participate?

24.hu had several questions about the predominant number of foreign athletes, and contacted MOKSZ. So far, the news portal has not received any reply. Among other matters, the portal wanted to know whether they plan to keep the remaining Hungarian skaters, as more and more of them are leaving the country. The portal’s journalists were also wondering why the federation sent Russian competitors if they were aware that Russian competitors were banned from competing.

How this can happen despite the bans can be easily explained by the regulations of the International Skating Union (ISU). According to the regulations, it is not necessary to be a national of a country to compete representing it at European or world championships organised by the federation.

The Hungarian delegation

In figure skating, Julia Láng (the only Hungarian) and Aleksandr Vlasenko are competing. The Russian Vlasenko has been a member of the Hungarian team since 2020. Mariia Ignateva, also Russian-born, is competing in ice dance and has been part of the Hungarian team since 2021. The other ice dancer is Danijil Szemko, who was born in Ukraine. As 24.hu reports, he has been living in Hungary since 2016, has Hungarian citizenship and speaks Hungarian. In pair skating, the Russian-born Maria Pavlova and Alexei Sviatchenko are participating. Both have been competing in Hungarian colours since the 2021-22 season. Apart from Vlasenko, the Russian competitors all live in Russia, are Russian citizens and train under Russian coaches.

Hungarian figure skaters are leaving their teams

According to 24.hu, more and more Hungarian figure skaters are leaving their teams. The portal highlights that it was valaszonline.hu that has brought attention to the fact that more and more Russian-born figure skaters are competing in Hungarian colours in international competitions. As valaszonline.hu writes, Vivien Papp, who is considered a highly talented athlete, decided to switch countries because of the Russian majority in the Hungarian teams. She has been training in Italy since last year.

Several other figure skaters made the same decision because of the Russian dominance. Mózes Berei, for example, gave his coach, Júlia Sebestyén, the same reason for the change of team:

This inscription, HUN, means my country and my heart to me, to a Russian, it is just letters, and you chose him instead of me.

His teammate, Balázs Berei has continued in the US. In addition, Léna Ekker and Katinka Zsemberi have also left their team as a result of the Russian dominance.

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Crisis in Hungary? Government pouring billions into sports

Hungary football EURO 2020 Bulgaria

State Secretary for Sport Ádám Schmidt announced that Olympic sports will receive HUF 2.7 billion more state funding than last year. Instead of the previous 16 priority sports, 43 winter and summer sports can now count on government funding. All this at a time when inflation is running at 25 percent, food keeps getting more expensive and the average person is struggling.

The National Programme for the Development of Competitive Sports (Nemzeti Versenyport-fejlesztési Program), the new competitive sports financing system, has been launched. Under the programme, the professional associations of Olympic sports will receive HUF 2.7 billion more than last year. That is a total of HUF 14.5 billion in state funding in 2023, announced Ádám Schmidt, State Secretary for Sport, on Thursday, according to MTI.

Ádám Schmidt also shared that from now on, 43 winter and summer Olympic sports will receive support, instead of the previous 16. The grant is paid in one lump sum to the sports organisations at the beginning of the year, napi.hu reports.

Supported areas of sports

The government is giving support to sports in six areas:

  1. operation,
  2. Olympic preparation,
  3. operation of the youth system,
  4. support for member organisations,
  5. coaching salaries,
  6. equipment purchases.

The Head of the State Secretariat for Sport stressed that no sports federation will receive less money than last year.

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Most loved sports in Hungary 

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Are you curious as to what kinds of sports the Hungarians enjoy?

Here, you can find all the information you need on the most popular sports in Hungary.

The National Sport of Hungary

Water polo is widely regarded as Hungary’s national pastime. In contrast to many other countries, Hungary’s national sport is not football but something considerably less well-liked. A popular sport, water polo is played by seven-member teams consisting of six outfielders and one goalkeeper. The game’s rules are a lot like football.

Hungry is a central European landlocked country. Budapest, the capital, is home to more than 1,752,000 people and borders Slovakia, Ukraine, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, and Austria (but more than 3,011,000 if you include the metropolitan area).

Hungary is the birthplace of water polo, a sport that has since spread worldwide. It’s deeply ingrained in Hungarian culture and has been for quite some time. Water polo is a game that was very recently introduced to the US. The sport has progressed from its 1987 Hungarian debut to the professional ranks.

It’s a lot like soccer in that it values quickness and teamwork. Although commonly performed in pools, the sport can also be enjoyed in the open ocean. Goals in men’s soccer are typically 20–30 meters apart, whereas, in women’s, it’s 25 meters. The pool can be any length, but it should be at least 10 to 20 meters wide. The optimal depth range is 1.8 m – 2 m. A two-meter and a five-meter line should also be painted on the pool’s perimeter.

For many years, Soviet authorities enforced strict control over Hungary, a satellite state. When the communists took over Hungary, the national water polo team practiced outside Budapest. Hungarian emigrant Ervin Zador escaped the camp and made it to Budapest to see his mother before the Soviets arrived. After learning about the insurrection, he returned to the camp to report on it. 

Football

Like the rest of the world, Hungary places a premium on football.

Although the Hungarian national team struggled, it enjoyed prolonged success in the 1950s and was even dubbed the “Golden Team.” They were captained by one of the game’s all-time greats, Ferenc Puskás, and came up short in the 1954 World Cup finals against West Germany amid allegations of referee assistance and doping. The FIFA Puskás Award, given to the player who scored the year’s most exquisite goal, bears his name in tribute.

Hungarians love to bet on sports like football at legit sites with positive reviews like what USA no deposit bonus offer.

Water Sports

Water sports primarily consist of water polo and swimming, Hungary’s second most popular sport. Although Hungary has no coastline, the country’s water polo (the national sport) and swimming teams are among the best in the world. 

Overall, Hungary’s performance at the Olympics has been nothing short of phenomenal. The country ranks ninth in overall medals, eighth in total gold medals, and second in total gold medals per capita.

Basketball

In the same vein as football, Hungary once had one of Europe’s top basketball teams from the middle of the 1940s until the middle of the 1960s. They had a lot of success in the European Basketball Championship and made it to the Summer Olympics several times. The quality has decreased since its previous peak.

Dávid Kornél is the only Hungarian basketball player in the NBA and is the most well-known.

Ice Hockey

Ice hockey is quite popular in Hungary, ranking as the number four sport there. Since 1928, the Hungarian national ice hockey team has competed at the Olympic Games, the IIHF European Championships, and the IIHF World Hockey Championships due to the sport’s widespread popularity in the country. They have been regulars at the World Championship and are now ranked 19th in the world by the International Ice Hockey Federation.

The Hungarian Ice Hockey Federation governs all aspects of ice hockey in Hungary, and the sport has a membership of about 8,000 people. However, there currently needs to be Hungarians playing in the NHL in North America.

Canoeing

Canoeing is a hugely popular sport in Hungary, and the country is a global powerhouse in the discipline. With five gold and three silver medals, the national team is also among the finest in the world.  

Hungary’s many lakes and rivers make it an ideal location for sport. Additionally, it has a rich history in the sport, having won 67 Olympic medals overall, including 17 gold. According to the International Canoe Federation, it also holds the top spot in the world.

Handball

Hungarian handball teams have a strong international presence due to the country’s widespread interest in the sport. Most teams compete as part of a club formally recognized by a national governing body. These governing bodies run leagues and tournaments. The IHF puts on the World Championships for both men and women and junior players. 

An estimated 19 million people participate in hockey worldwide, with 166 federations being members of the International Hockey Federation. The field measures 40 by 20 meters, with goals at both ends. The goals usually are two meters in height and three meters in width and are anchored to the ground or a wall for safety.

The officials agree upon the penalties in most handball games during a timeout. The referee’s final judgments may only be challenged if a team has violated the regulations.

Gymnastics

Hungary takes great pride in its gymnastics heritage, as the sport is widely followed and practiced throughout the country. One of the country’s most famous athletes is Agnes Keleti, a five-time Olympic winner and former coach. She placed third all-time among female Olympians and fourth among gold medalists with 10 medals from three different games. She also had great success as an athlete and was considered one of the most prominent Jewish women in sports.

Keleti started training at age four and won her first national championship at sixteen. She received her diploma in 1939, but antisemitic quotas meant that she could not continue her studies through high school. To make ends meet as she trained for the 1940 Olympics, which were ultimately canceled due to World War II, Keleti was obliged to take a job as an apprentice furrier.

Hungary’s women’s gymnastics team was a powerhouse at the 1976 Olympics. Among Hungary’s top eight routines, seven were created by Onodi. Moreover, she scored over nine points on each routine on average, making her the second-best gymnast overall. She also led the Hungarian squad in the All-Around finals, where her colleagues fell short.

Hungary cancels hosting the European Handball Championship?

handball stadium hungary

The Hungarian government has decided to support grassroots sports for young people rather than going on with plans to host the European handball championship in 2024, Máté Kocsis, the head of the Hungarian Handball Association, said in an interview published by sports portal nemzetisport.hu on Thursday.

“It would not be correct for Hungary to spend billions on the European event, with costs already incurred, while many thousands of children and young athletes are deprived of training opportunities for months due to high energy prices,” Kocsis said, adding that “the two things will not go together”.

Kocsis said Hungary could not co-organise the championship with Austria and Switzerland as originally planned, adding that negotiations on “the best solution” were under way with the two countries. Hungary’s withdrawal “in part or full” from hosting the event “is an existing scenario”, Kocsis said. He added that when Hungary launched its bid to host the event “there was no war, no sanctions or an energy crisis and there were no financial difficulties arising from them”.

The handball association has made a deal with the government that it would use a part of the money saved on the championship to support small sports clubs, Kocsis said.

Kocsis, who is ruling Fidesz’s parliamentary group leader, also announced that he would not run for re-election as head of the association at the organisation’s upcoming general assembly in the spring.

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Famous soccer player in Hungary 2023

szoboszlai

Dominik Szoboszlai is a Hungarian soccer player who has been taking the world by storm since he began his career. He has already made a name for himself as one of the most promising players in the world, and he is set to become even more of a household name in 2023. Szoboszlai is renowned for his incredible skill and impressive playmaking abilities, and it’s clear that he has the potential to be one of the best sports betting players in the world. In this blog post, we will explore why Dominik Szoboszlai is set to take the world by storm in 2023.

Who is Dominik Szoboszlai?

Dominik Szoboszlai is a Hungarian professional footballer who currently plays for German club RB Leipzig. He started his career at the youth academy of Liefering, before moving to Salzburg in 2018. Since then, he has become one of Hungary’s most promising young footballers and is set to take the world by storm in 2023. Szoboszlai has been described as one of the best young midfielders in Europe, due to his impressive technical ability and creativity on the ball. He is also a talented goalscorer, having scored 14 goals in all competitions during the 2019-20 season. His outstanding performances have seen him earn international recognition and an invitation to join the Hungary national team.

What are his accomplishments?

He is an incredibly talented Hungarian soccer player who has been making waves in Europe for the past few years. He has achieved a great deal of success in both domestic and international play, including being named the 2019/2020 Austrian Bundesliga Player of the Year. He also played a key role in RB Salzburg’s UEFA Europa League title run in 2020. In addition to his club achievements, Dominik has also represented his country on the international stage, playing for the Hungarian National Team since 2018. As a result of his talent and skill, he was awarded the ‘Golden Boy’ award in 2020, recognizing him as one of the best young players in Europe.

Why is he so popular?

His skillful technique and exciting style of play have earned him praise from coaches, teammates and fans alike. His potential has been recognized by some of Europe’s top clubs who are reportedly interested in signing him. His impressive performances in international matches have also increased his popularity as he looks set to become one of the best players in Europe over the next few years.

What does the future hold for him?

With an impressive track record of achievements and numerous awards under his belt, there is no doubt that he is on track to become one of the biggest names in Hungarian football. He has been tipped to make a move to one of Europe’s top clubs soon and is considered to be one of the best young players in the world. Szoboszlai will undoubtedly continue to dazzle on the pitch and bring joy to fans across the globe.

Conclusion

Dominik Szoboszlai is one of Hungary’s best soccer players and is set to become one of the world’s greatest players in 2023. His talent and skill has been clear to fans, coaches, and peers alike. With a bright future ahead of him, it’s only a matter of time before he takes the global stage.

UEFA’s Hungary news

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UEFA recently made a big announcement concerning the future of football in Hungary. With the new plans set to be implemented, Hungarian football is set to enter a new and exciting era. In this blog post, we explore the latest news from UEFA regarding the Hungarian sports betting game scene, as well as what can be expected in the future. From changes to the domestic league structure to the new opportunities being opened up for Hungarian clubs, there is plenty to discuss. So, read on to learn all about UEFA’s Hungary news and what it means for the game.

When will 2022/23 UEFA Europa League final take place?

2022/23 UEFA Europa League final will take place at Budapest’s Puskás Aréna on 31 May 2023. This will mark the first time Hungary has hosted a UEFA club competition, and fans of the Hungarian teams participating in the tournament will be able to attend in person. It also means that some of the best European clubs will be traveling to Hungary for this prestigious event. The players and teams competing in the tournament have the opportunity to make history, and millions of soccer fans around the world will be tuning in to watch this exciting game.

Where will the 2024 and 2025 UEFA Europa League finals be held?

The UEFA Europa League finals for 2024 and 2025 have now been decided by UEFA. 2024 final will be held at Dublin Arena in Dublin, Ireland. This is sure to be an exciting venue for the match, as the arena is well-known for hosting various sporting events, such as football matches, boxing bouts, and even hockey games.

The following year’s final in 2025 will take place in San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain. This stadium is home to Athletic Bilbao, one of the most successful teams in La Liga. It is also one of the biggest stadiums in Spain, having a capacity of 53,000 people. This makes it a great venue for the UEFA Europa League final in 2025.

What do the winners get?

The 2022/23 winners of the UEFA Europa League will receive the prestigious trophy as well as some other rewards. The 15kg trophy has no handles and is made of sterling silver and gold-plated bronze. Along with the title, the champions will also gain access to the 2023/24 UEFA Champions’ League group stage if they have not already qualified via their domestic competition. This opens up great opportunities for players in the team and provides them with a greater chance to experience European competition at its highest level. The rewards for winning are truly monumental.

Conclusion

The UEFA Europa League finals are a significant event in European football and have the potential to have a major impact on the game. The hosting of these events by Hungary will be an exciting new development and could provide a boost to the nation’s footballing reputation. As we await further news, it is clear that the winners of the UEFA Europa League will be rewarded with a prestigious trophy and a cash prize. It remains to be seen how this will change the game, but for now, we can certainly look forward to exciting times ahead!

VIDEO: Ágnes Keleti, the world’s oldest living Olympic champion, turns 102

keleti ágnes

On Monday, Ágnes Keleti celebrates her hundred and second birthday. The five-time Olympic and one-time world champion gymnast, 46-time Hungarian champion and national athlete of the nation, has been the oldest person in the world to win a gold medal at the five Olympic Games for three years.

According to the Hungarian Olympics Committee (MOB), The birthday girl was born Ágnes Klein on 9 January 1921 in Budapest. She was raised to love and appreciate sport by her father, who himself led an active life, hiking and rowing on the Danube, and Ágnes was involved in these activities from an early age. If fate would have it otherwise, we might know her today as a renowned cellist, since she played music until she was 18, even performing at the Academy of Music. In the end, she chose gymnastics and brought much glory to Hungary. Keleti is a five-time Olympic champion Hungarian gymnast; the most successful competitor in Hungarian gymnastics, winning the Hungarian championship 46 times, and a seven-time team champion.

Ágnes Keleti had her share of good and bad: she had to endure a terrible period of persecution of the Jews, she was one of the regime’s favorites after 1945, but she could not feel free because she did not return from the Melbourne Olympics in 1956 and founded the Israeli gymnastics in her second homeland, the Holy Land. She has now been living in Budapest for many years, on 6 Október Street.

“Ági néni” is the oldest living Hungarian Olympic champion since the death of Sándor Tarics (21 May 2016) and the oldest living Olympic champion since the death of Finland’s Lydia Wideman (13 April 2019).

On Sunday, the 102-year-old Olympic champion was toasted by Hungarian Olympic Committee leaders:

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Photo: MOB/Péter Szalmás

IFFHS: Two Hungarian footballers have made the list of the world’s top scorers

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Two Hungarian national team footballers have been included in the 2022 list of the world’s most successful players, compiled by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS).

Top scorers

Germán Cano, an Argentine from Brazil’s Fluminense, topped the IFFHS list with 33 goals, ahead of France’s Kylian Mbappe, who scored 32 times for Paris Saint-Germain, and another Argentine, Nicolás Ibánez of Pachuca, Mexico, who scored 31 league goals last season.

Boris Kopitovic was the absolute top-scorer last calendar year with 35 goals, but his club Tampines Rovers in the Singapore league, which is not included in the IFFHS top 100, so the Montenegrin footballer was not ranked, MTI reported.

Martin Ádám

Martin Ádám scored a total of 25 goals for Paks and then his new club Ulsan in South Korea, which puts him 16th in the standings. He scored nine times in Korea.

Dániel Gazdag

Dániel Gazdag, who plays for the Philadelphia Union in the United States, is 22nd with 24 goals.

The top scorers in the top leagues in 2022:

1. Germán Cano (Argentina), Fluminense, 33 goals
2. Kylian Mbappé (French), Paris Saint-Germain, 32
3. Nicolás Ibánez (Argentina), Pachuca, 31
4. Erling Haaland (Norwegian), Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City 30
5. Robert Lewandowski (Poland), Bayern Munich and Barcelona 29
…16th Ádám Martin, Paks and Ulszan 25
…22nd Dániel Greichag, Philadelphia Union 24

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Hungary to host major sports events in 2023 — programme guide

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If you are a sports lover, you might not even want to step outside of Hungary in 2023. Whatever sports you might be interested in, you will have the chance to experience them live this year in the country. Let us show you what 2023 has in store for Hungary’s sports life!

2023 will be quite eventful when it comes to sporting events in Hungary. Among other events, the World Athletics Championships, the UEFA Europa League Final and the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix are to be held in our country this year!

WestEnd men’s and women’s fencing Grand Prix

If you are into fencing, this year will be kind to you: the WestEnd Fencing Grand Prix is to be held in Budapest! You can watch both men and women competing.

When? 10 March to 12 March 2023

Where? Budapest (no official place yet)

Kayak-Canoe World Cup

The 2023 ICF Canoe Sprint World Cup will be held in Hungary! If you like water sports like this, make sure to visit Szeged in the middle of May.

When? 11 May to 14 May, 2023

Where? Szeged

2023 UEFA Europa League Final

It will be a major event in 2023 when Budapest hosts the finals of the second European club football tournament, the Europa League, m4sport.hu reports. It will be the final match of the 2022–23 UEFA Europa League. Due to the postponement and rescheduling of the 2020 final, the hosts of the final have been moved to a year later. As a result, Budapest will host the 2023 final.

When? 31 May 2023

Where? Puskás Aréna, Budapest

Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix 2023

The Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place at the end of July. Just like always, tickets are sold out very quickly so make sure to get yours and your family’s and friends’ in time!

When? 21 July to 23 July, 2023

Where? Hungaroring, Mogyoród, Budapest

2023 World Athletics Championships

This year, Hungary will host one of the world’s biggest sporting events, the World Athletics Championships. Budapest had previously indicated that it would like to host the 2007 World Cup, but eventually backed out. It was finally hosted in Osaka. Athletes from more than 200 countries are expected to compete in Budapest.

When? 19 August to 27 August 2023

Where? Nemzeti Atlétikai Központ (National Athletics Centre), Budapest

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Photos: Hungary’s first indoor wooden cycling track opened

Hungary's first indoor wooden cycling track opened

Hungary’s first indoor cycling track accredited by the International Cycling Union (UCI), the Kőbánya BringArena, was inaugurated on Sunday, MTI reports.

The design of the facility, which will be housed in a metal structure tent, began in October 2018, the 200-metre wooden track is 5.8 metres wide, the running surface is made of specially treated, laminated spruce, with a gradient of 14 degrees on the straight and 50.3 degrees in the bends.

The BringAréna, with a capacity of 4,500 square metres and 100 spectators, will be able to host both national and small international cycling competitions, as well as providing training facilities for professional and amateur cyclists, while also playing a key role in the education of young cyclists. The construction cost of HUF 812 million (EUR 2,03 million) was financed by state, federal and municipal subsidies, as well as an investment by Vuelta Kft.

The velodrome is named after Szilvia Szabolcsi, who finished fifth in the 200m fly at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The counter-arena is named after Miklós Somogyi, who won the gold medal in the points competition at the Friendship competition for the socialist countries that were forced to withdraw from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

Máriusz Révész, the active State Secretary for Hungary, pointed out at the inauguration ceremony that the next such track is six to seven hundred kilometres away, so they hope that many people from abroad will come here.

Orbán: Hungary will not be able to organise any major sports events in 2023 and 2024

infantino fifa orbán hungary football

Hungarian football is on course to redeem its old glory, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in an interview to Nemzeti Sport online, adding that by 2030 the national eleven would be great again.

In the interview in Qatar, Orbán said:

“Lionel Messi is the greatest; literally the smallest boy that has grown to be the greatest hero.”

He called the competition “unique” for being organised in an Arab country for the first time. “Arab football flashed its real strength through the Moroccan team,” he added.

The prime minister said the Western world had had to learn how to behave according to different rules. “This time they weren’t hosts but guests, yet they tried to force their habits on their hosts…” The Western world, with its “colonial instincts”, has forgotten the adage: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” he added.

Qatar could have spent their money “on anything” other than the World Cup, but “it is good that they spent it on football,” Orbán said.

He said bilateral ties with Qatar were excellent the country was “a friend of Hungary” with a number of large investments here.

Orban praised Hungary’s Sándor Csányi, FIFA’s vice president, for his initiative to allow players to be in their home countries’ teams even if they had played in the junior teams of other countries. That is why, he said, there were many players in the Moroccan and other African teams who had played, for example, in France as youngsters.

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Orban said the “Golden” Hungarian team of the 1950s had been “no doubt one of the best” but “we were not there in Qatar this time because we could not win when we should have.” But Hungarian soccer was improving, he noted. In the 20 years after 1989, Hungarian football descended into darkness, “and it has taken another twenty years to emerge”, but by 2030 it will have “regained its old glory”, he said.

Referring to “spectacular games” in soccer club leagues, Orbán said that ultimately national teams unsullied by corruption were of the greatest value.

Discussing sport more broadly, Orban said it would take another year before changes in the government’s sports management could be assessed. Seven-year development programmes the government launched for sports associations are being completed, he said. Those schemes will be evaluated individually, while new agreements with the associations for the next two Olympic cycles are being signed, he added.

Pointing to the war in Ukraine, the prime minister noted difficulties in running sports facilities and high energy costs. These problems will “stay with us” and

Hungary will not be able to organise any major sports events in 2023 and 2024, Orbán said.

The Hungarian government has “built and organised everything possible” in the area of sports in the past 12 years, he said, referring to Budapest’s new athletics stadium and the athletics world championships as “the crown” of those efforts. “We have organised all events possible that are worth organising — apart from the Olympics,” Orbán said.

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