Sport

The top 10 best locations for ice climbing in winter

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With winter well and truly upon us, let’s take a look at the top ten best locations for ice climbing in winter.

Ice climbing is an extreme sport that attracts people from all over the world. The sport involves ascending vertical ice formations, like icefalls, waterfalls, and cliffsides.

It’s a challenging sport that has many benefits, and some places around the world are the perfect spot for ice climbers seeking their thrill in winter. So, let’s take a look at some of the best spots.

10.Kandersteg, Switzerland

Ice climbing is one of the most extreme sports in the world, and Kandersteg in Switzerland is one of the best places in the world to do it in winter. 

The frozen waterfalls in Kandersteg make this a firm favourite among ice climbers from all over the world.

With options for both beginners and advanced climbers, this is certainly deserving of a spot on our top ten list.

  1. Helmcken Falls, Canada

Helmcken Falls is the fourth tallest fall in Canada, and it certainly makes for a great ice-climbing destination in winter.

This infamous route is known for being one of the most difficult ice climbs in the world, so it’s one for thrill-seekers who enjoy a challenge. 

At 130 ft (39.6 m) tall, only experts should even consider attempting this great feat.

  1. Ouray Ice Park, United States

With over 200 manmade mixed climbs ranging from W12 to W16 and M4 to M9, Ouray Ice Park is considered the best ice climbing destination in Colorado.

With local hot springs nearby, there is no better way to treat yourself after a hard day climbing in the cold.

  1. The Cogne Valley, Italy

One of the most popular ice climbing destinations in Europe, the Cogne Valley is home to more than 150 icefalls that are suitable for everybody from beginner to advanced.

This spot in Italy is not only an incredible ice climbing destination for winter, but it’s also a beautiful place to discover wonderful flora and fauna.

  1. Sandstone Ice Park, United States

Active from December to March, Sandstone Ice Park in Minnesota is one of the best locations for ice climbing in winter.

A manmade ice park on the side of a giant canyon wall, this location has lights to allow you to climb at night, too.

  1. Otzal Valley, Austra

Not only is this a great location for Ice Climbing, but it’s downright stunning. The valley is the longest glaciated valley that runs south towards the Tyrol Mountains.

Icefalls range from short and accessible to up to 1,600 ft (487.6 m) mega exhilarating routes for the most seasoned ice climbers.

  1. Svínafellsjökull Glacier, Iceland 

Iceland is one of the best destinations for ice climbing in the world. This is thanks to 4,500 square miles of glaciers across the country.

Svínafellsjökull Glacier has a number of walking and vertical ice-climbing opportunities, making it one of the most popular spots in the country.

The location itself will take your breath away, and beginners and advanced ice climbers alike all have immense opportunities here.

  1. Matanuska Glacier, United States

Located in one of America’s dreamiest states, this Alaskan glacier is an impressive destination for ice climbing in winter.

We recommend booking a tour to really get acquainted with this natural wonder. You will then have the opportunity to learn proper techniques and an essential introduction to the sport.

Experts, don’t fret, as there are numerous opportunities to take on more physically challenging walls. You can even immerse yourself deeper into the glacial shafts and canyons.

  1. Viedma Glacier, Argentina

This glacier is truly one of a kind. The Viedma Glacier is the biggest of its kind in Los Glaciares National Park and is actually the second-biggest glacier in the southern hemisphere.

You’ll reach the glacier by catamaran, and once you disembark, you’ll have the chance to practice on a training wall before trying out the real deal.

It’s the perfect spot for all levels, as beginners can scale vibrant blue ice walls while expert climbers ascend into large crevices.

  1. Rjukan, Norway

Rjukan is the perfect spot for ice climbing in winter, as it boasts an endless supply of frozen waterfalls. With difficulties ranging from W12 to M10, this is a great location for all levels of ice climbers.

Situated at the top of the valley is Krokan, while further down the valley is the Gorge. Here, you will be met with stunning views and an electric atmosphere.

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Read alsoHungarian climbers are the first to conquer a 6,000-metre peak

How to watch the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final in Hungary

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It may be taking place in the winter months and in the Middle East for the first time in the tournament’s 92-year history, but the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final will be hosting some familiar faces. Billed as an established legend of the sport, Lionel Messi, coming up against a future all-time great, Argentina vs. France is a fitting conclusion to what has been a thrilling World Cup.

Four years ago, 3.6 billion people watched the 2018 World Cup, with 1.12 billion watching the final live. It’s a huge event, and even though Hungary didn’t attend, people across the nation will be tuning in. Here’s what to look out for in the big game and how to watch.

A clash of titans in Qatar

 

Few would dispute this match-up as being a worthy World Cup Final, and with both teams being so strong, even the Argentina vs. France odds only have a very marginal favorite. Argentina is narrowly behind at 10/11 to lift the cup, while France sits at 4/5 to come out of the tie on top.

A lot of punters are looking for the stars to shine, with a Bet Builder of Argentina to lift the cup, Messi and France’s star player to score anytime, and over 2.5 goals backed by over 1,200 people at 20.2/1 at the time of writing. For some tips on the day, the World Cup 2022 predictions page called both teams to win in the semi-finals.

However, the odds and predictions might swing out in favor of Argentina closer to kick-off. It has been revealed that a sickness kept Adrien Rabiot out of the Morocco game. While France did make it to the final without them, if the bug spreads, they could be without more starting XI players.

The FIFA World Cup Final is must-watch TV for football fans around the world, and this year, we’ll be treated to either seeing France become the first back-to-back winners since Brazil in 1962 or Lionel Messi get the ultimate prize in the sport. Either way, it’s going to be an intense game.

How to watch Argentina vs. France in Hungary

The 2022 FIFA World Cup Final will kick off at 16:00 CEST, taking place in the Lusail Stadium of Doha. The event will likely start about an hour earlier, with all of the fireworks and pageantry that go with staging such a colossal occasion.

To be part of the action, you’ll need to turn to MTVA’s sports channel, M4 Sports, on TV. It’s available for free via the national public channel, so you can watch it even if you don’t have premium cable TV. If you’re on the go or prefer to watch football on mobile, you can download the M4 Sport smartphone app. The live footage of the World Cup Final can also be streamed online via the M4 Sport website.

Regardless of if you’re watching on TV, smartphone, or computer, the World Cup Final is not to be missed, and in Hungary, you have the free M4 Sports offering to turn to for the live action.

Ticket sale for Hungary’s World Athletics Championships begins!

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Ticket sales began on Monday for the World Athletics Championships (WAC), the biggest sporting event in Hungary’s history, held between 19 and 27 August 2023, the government spokeswoman said.

The event, the third biggest sporting event in the world, is expected to draw some hundred thousand tourists from abroad, Alexandra Szentkirályi, who also sits on the board of the event organiser, told a press conference.

Ádám Schmidt, the state secretary in charge of sport and a government commissioner for WAC Budapest, said 2,000 athletes and 3,000 journalists will be hosted at the event and news coverage will reach some one billion people worldwide.

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Read alsoBudapest bidding to host 2026 track and field European championships

Budapest to host World Karate Championships in 2023

Budapest Karate championships

The 2023 World Karate Championships, to be hosted by Budapest between October 24 and 28, is expected to draw 1,600-2,000 athletes and about as many sports officials, organisers said on Friday.

After meeting representatives of the World Karate Federation for a walk-through of the hosting Papp László Aréna, Márton Falusi said this would be the last championships this size before limits are introduced on the number of participants. Before the world championships, WKF will also hold trainings for judges and a conference, he said.

Hungary at the FIFA World Cup: a short history 

Ferenc Puskás in the world cup final

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If you’re less than 36 years old, then the sad reality is that you’ve never seen Hungary compete in football’s greatest showpiece, the FIFA World Cup. It is a remarkable stat to digest and one that is hard to fully comprehend when you consider that before 1986, Hungary had actually taken part in nine World Cups. 

These days though, the latest FIFA World Cup odds make no mention of the nation that made it to two finals, and instead, the closest you will get to Hungary in Qatar is neighboring Serbia who are priced at 90/1 to go all the way in the Middle East. Needless to say, this agonizing wait for World Cup qualification is made all the more difficult to swallow given that countries that share a border with Hungary, get to revel in the limelight that only a World Cup can give.

False dawns

There was a growing expectation that this inexplicable hiatus from World Cups would be brought to an end after the country secured entry to Euro 2020, but a disastrous qualification bid for the tournament in Qatar ended with the Hungarian team finishing fourth in Group I. Notably, Marco Rossi’s men finished behind Albania and Poland which goes to show how disappointing their campaign was.

But it hasn’t always been this way for this proud footballing nation that used to be one of the most feared countries in the world.

 

The good old days

Indeed, in just their second appearance at a World Cup, Hungary managed to make it to the 1934 final but eventually lost 4-2 to Italy in Paris. Incredibly, the Hungarians managed to achieve this feat again in 1954 when they blew the opposition away en route to the final only to lose to West Germany, this time by a scoreline of 3-2.

 

Following the 1954 edition in Switzerland, Hungary would go on to record two quarter-final finishes at the 1962 and 1966 World Cups. Three more successful qualifications to the World Cup would follow with Hungary taking part in the 1978, 1982, and 1986 editions, which was when the drought started.

Up until that point, Hungary could boast of a rich history at the event having gone further than most teams who have taken part. How or why the wheels ended up falling off to the degree they have is hard to answer but it is ultimately a reminder of how very little is guaranteed when it comes to qualification for World Cups.

In fact, a gap of 36 years is relatively short compared to Wales’ 64-year wait between World Cups. The same can, of course, be said for Iceland who went from 1958 to 2018 without playing at a World Cup.

Admittedly, these harrowing examples of the long-lasting gaps between World Cup qualification will do nothing to fill Hungarian fans with optimism but records are there to be broken at some stage.

 

In addition to that and as initially touched on, there have been steps in the right direction under Rossi which will hopefully mean that Hungarian fans can book their plane tickets to America in 2026.

Huge success in sport: the first Hungarian world champion!

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Great success for Hungary: here is the first Hungarian taekwondo world champion! Salim Omar Gergely won the world title in Guadalajara, Mexico, as the 19-year-old competing in Hungarian colours triumphed in the 54 kg category.

Taekwondo world champion Salim Omar Gergely won the world title in Guadalajara, Mexico, the 19-year-old competing in Hungarian colours triumphed in the 54 kg category, szmo.hu reports. According to the International Federation (WT), Salim Omar Gergely won his category with five victories and became the first Hungarian world champion in the Korean sport.

Lives in Los Angeles but wears Hungarian colors

The taekwondo player lives and trains in Los Angeles but wears the club colours of MTK. In the final, which took place on Sunday morning Hungarian time, he beat the representative of the World Cup hosts, Cesar Rodriguez. He won the competition 2-0, winning the first two minutes 14-3 and the second round 11-9. Before that, he had beaten Malaysia (2-0), Greece (2-0), Philippines (2-1) and then Taiwan in the semi-finals.

Already had an European title

Salim Omar Gergely, who finished fifth in the 58 kg category at last year’s Tokyo Olympics, can claim to be the first Hungarian world champion in the sport. He also won Hungary’s first European title in this combat sport in 2021 and defended his title this spring in the 54 kg category.

Read alsoPHOTOS: Hungary’s newest five-star hotel opened in Tokaj

Here is why Hungary’s first Winter Olympic gold medallists change country

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Short-track speed skaters Sándor Liu Shaolin and Liu Shaoan will say goodbye to Hungary. The athletes, who won Hungary’s first Winter Olympic gold medal, kept silent for a while, but now they have revealed the reason behind their life-changing decision in an exclusive interview. 

Olympic gold medal-winning athletes’ departure

As we reported earlier, Sándor Liu Shaolin and Liu Shaoang are Hungary’s first Olympic gold medallists to switch countries. Until now, we could only guess, but now it is certain, that they will move to China, rtl.hu writes.

The Hungarian National Skating Federation (MOKSZ) has announced in a press release that the Shaolin brothers have requested a change of country. The athletes will follow their coach, Lina Zhang, who has left the Hungarian national team. It was later revealed that this daring move could cost between HUF 100-150 million (EUR 249-374 thousand) per person.

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Read alsoHungary and the 1954 World Cup: a history to remember

Liu brothers broke the silence

So far, none of the brothers have commented on the change of country. But now, in an exclusive interview with nemzetisport.hu, they have spoken about the reasons behind their decision.

The main reason is that they were unsure about the federation. With the coaching staff, Hungarian speed skating has won a total of 2 gold medals and 2 bronze medals in the last 2 Olympics. However, the IOCOC did not keep together the coaching team of the trio of Ákos Bánhidi, Lina Chiang Ching and Jie Su Chun.

“To date, the federation has not developed a professional plan for this Olympic cycle, at least not to the usual standard,” Shaolin said. Both boys put sports above all else. To do that, they need a stable coaching staff and a professional plan. However, they do not see that in Hungary at the moment, so they will continue elsewhere.

The Liu brothers said that wherever they would go, they would have to start from the bottom. They are ready to give up on everything for a brighter future. They will pay the federation out of their own pockets if they have to, although they added that this would be unprecedented in the international history of short-track speed skating.

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Read alsoEuro 2024: Previewing Hungary’s qualifying chances for the big tournament in Germany 

All you need to know about the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

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The Middle East will be hosting its first FIFA world cup. FIFA awarded this honor to Qatar on 2nd December 2010, when Qatar won the bid among four other countries. For the first time in 92 years of FIFA history, the most prestigious sports league is taking place in this region.

Qatar’s bid was also highlighted as the most compact World Cup ever because all the venues are within sixty kilometers. In addition, the architectural brilliance of the new stadiums is unparalleled, as these venues are built with a vision of controlling temperature and countering the region’s warm climate.

The campaign will kick off with the host going against Ecuador on 20th November 2022 at the Al Bayt Stadium and will continue till 18th December 2022. The opening ceremony will take place before the first match, and the artist lineup includes a member of the famous South Korean band BTS Jung Kook. However, the list has yet to be finalized as of today.

How many stadiums will host the matches?

It is a 32 days tournament with a total of 64 games scheduled to be played. On top of that, there will be back-to-back matches for eleven consecutive days. The schedule is intense, and a total of eight stadiums will be used to facilitate all the anticipated matches.

  • Lusail Iconic Stadium in Lusail: it has the highest capacity of 80,000 among all the stadiums, and it will be the busiest venue hosting a total of ten matches, including the final, one quarter-final, and one semifinal, and a closing ceremony.
  • Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor: it has a capacity of 60,000 and will host nine matches, including the opening ceremony, one quarter-final, and a semifinal.
  • Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah: it will host seven matches and has a capacity of 40,000.
  • Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium: it will host seven matches and can accommodate 40,000 fans.
  • Khalifa International Stadium: it will host eight matches, including the third play-off match, with a capacity of 40,000 people.
  • Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan: it will also host eight matches, including a quarter-final, and has a capacity of 40,000.
  • Stadium 974: it will host seven matches and also has the same capacity of 40,000.
  • Al Thumama Stadium in Doha: it will host eight matches, including a quarter-final, and has a capacity of 40,000.

Formation of groups

There are 32 teams divided into eight groups, each comprising four teams. The top two from each group will qualify for the Round of 16. Afterward, only eight teams will proceed to the quarter-finals. The FIFA world cup odds favor South American teams because of the hot weather, although it is still any team’s cup.

The teams in:

In group A:

  1. Qatar
  2. Ecuador
  3. Senegal
  4. Netherlands

In group B:

  1. England
  2. Wales
  3. Iran
  4. United States

In group C:

  1. Argentina
  2. Mexico
  3. Saudi Arabia
  4. Poland

In group D:

  1. France
  2. Australia
  3. Denmark
  4. Tunisia

In group E:

  1. Spain
  2. Germany
  3. Costa Rica
  4. Japan

In group F:

  1. Belgium
  2. Canada
  3. Morocco
  4. Croatia

In group G:

  1. Brazil
  2. Serbia
  3. Switzerland
  4. Cameroon

In group H:

  1. Portugal
  2. Ghana
  3. Uruguay
  4. South Korea

Squad restrictions

For the first time, FIFA has approved increasing the number of maximum players in a squad to 26 from 23 players to counter the timing of the world cup and COVID. In addition, each squad must have three goalkeepers, with no restrictions on the maximum number of midfielders, forwards, and defenders.

Each team must arrive five days before the start of their opening match, and every club must release the list of players selected for the national team by 14 November as per the FIFA guidelines. 26 team members will be allowed on the bench, comprising 15 players and 11 team officials.

Another new rule incorporated into this year’s world cup is that coaches can make up to five substitutions compared to the standard three.

‘The Golden Era’: remembering Hungary’s three best major tournament finishes

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While Hungarian football has been enjoying somewhat of a renaissance in recent years, it would take some doing to reach the level of the mid-20th Century. Here is a look back at that ‘Golden Era’, spread over the course of three memorable major tournaments.

1938 World Cup

In what was only Hungary’s second time competing at the world championships – and the third held in the tournament’s history – the Magyarok nearly went all the way in France 1938. It was the last tournament to use a straight knockout format, consisting of 15 teams after Austria withdrew from the tournament, following their union with Germany soon after tournament qualification was complete.

Unfortunately for Hungary, their qualification for the 2022 World Cup didn’t go to plan as they continue to struggle to live up to other teams in their storied history; they finished fourth in a tough group from which England and Poland emerged. The Three Lions have betting football odds of 8.0 to go on and win the tournament in Qatar, while Poland are among the football predictions from Paddy Power to proceed from Group C. Back in 1938, Hungary certainly didn’t have too many issues reaching the final, as they dispatched the likes of Dutch East Indies 6-0 and Sweden 5-1 on route to the final. Unfortunately for the Magyarok, here they fell to a 4-2 defeat to the holders Italy, despite goals from Pal Titkos and Gyorgy Sarosi.

 

1964 European Nations’ Cup

Back in Euro 1964, Hungary fell at the second-last hurdle to the hosts of the final tournament, Spain, as covered on the official UEFA site. In the build-up to the last four, Austria, Luxembourg, USSR and Albania received byes to the round of 16, while Hungary defeated Wales by an aggregate score of 4-2. The round of 16 was a thrilling affair, with Hungary’s 2-1 victory in East Germany followed by a 3-3 draw in Budapest amounting to a 5-4 aggregate win.

The quarter-finals were slightly more comfortable, though, with a home and away double over France securing a 5-2 victory to send the Magyarok into the last four, in what was their first-ever European Championships. It would end up leading to heartbreak against the Spanish in the semi-final, however, after a late Ferenc Bene goal had sent the tie to extra-time and increased the hope of the visitors. Amancio’s 112th-minute goal downed the Hungarians, as they went on to win the tournament on home soil.

1954 World Cup

It would be impossible to analyse Hungary’s glory era without the mention of the Golden Team of the 1954 World Cup, which is arguably the best team to never win the World Cup according to The Guardian. With a core squad of Sandor Kocsis and Zoltan Czibor led by the infamous Ferenc Puskas, Hungary stormed through a challenging knockout stage, starting with a 4-2 victory over Brazil in the quarter-finals. They then went on to beat Uruguay by the same scoreline in the semis, albeit after extra time, setting up a final against West Germany in Berne.

What is known by the Germans as ‘the Miracle of Berne’ is instead viewed by Hungarians with disdain. After Puskas and Czibor had given the Magyarok a 2-0 lead within eight minutes, the Germans had made it 2-2 just ten minutes later. Despite Hungary being the heavy favourites, especially after demolishing the West Germans 8-3 in Group 2 earlier in the tournament, Helmut Rahn got his second of the match to make it 3-2 with six minutes remaining. Puskas’ late equaliser was controversially ruled offside, as the final whistle brought elation for West Germany but heartbreak for Hungary.

 

While Hungary’s international players will be earning a well-earned rest over this World Cup period, preparations will already be in place for their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign. They come up against Bulgaria, Lithuania, Montenegro and Serbia in Group G.

Euro 2024: Previewing Hungary’s qualifying chances for the big tournament in Germany 

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The Hungarian national football team finds itself in the best position it’s been in since the days of Ferenc Puskás almost 70 years ago. The former Real Madrid man famously led Hungary’s golden generation to the World Cup final in 1954, where they would lose out 3-2 to West Germany despite being overwhelming favourites. Admittedly, the current crop aren’t of the level of Puscas and co., but they have certainly given the country a team they can be proud of. 

Back in 2016, The Magyars ended their 30-year wait to appear at a major tournament when they qualified for the European Championships in France. And the tournament was a huge success. A 2-0 victory over Austria and back-to-back draws against Iceland and eventual champions Portugal sealed the top spot in Group F and a date with Belgium in the second round. The Red Devils would eventually win out, but there could be no denying how far Hungary had come.

Five years later, The Hungarians qualified for back-to-back European Championships for the first time in their history. However, after once again being drawn alongside Portugal, as well as Germany and reigning world champions France, there was only ever an outside chance of progressing to the knockout rounds. They did give all three of them a scare, however, drawing with France and Germany, as well as keeping Cristiano Ronaldo and co. quiet for 80 minutes before slipping to a late defeat.

They will be hoping to make it a hat trick in 2024, and we wouldn’t bet against them.

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An Incredible UEFA Nations League Campaign 

Hungary’s recent Nations League campaign was the stuff of fairytales. The Magyars were once again handed a difficult group, just as they were last year in the European Championships. They were drawn against Italy and England – the teams who contested the final of Euro 2020 – as well as Germany once again. Online bookmakers such as FanDuel, which provide free bets on European football, didn’t expect trees to be pulled up, and relegation back to League B was considered a distinct possibility.

But no one told Marco Rossi that. Hungary’s Italian manager has revolutionised the national team since his arrival in 2018 and he ensured that his side was ready to take on the big boys.

Their campaign got underway with a deserved 1-0 victory over England in Budapest thanks to Dominik Szoboszlai’s second-half penalty. However, it was the return fixture at Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Molineux that took everyone’s breath away.

Rossi took his side to England quietly optimistic, but no one could have predicted what they were about to see. Rolland Salai gave the visitors a shock halftime lead and in the second half, Rossi’s men put on a counterattacking masterclass. Three goals in the final 20 minutes secured a 4-0 over the Three Lions in perhaps the finest performance of a Hungarian team for generations.

Another victory on the road, this time in Leipzig, was to follow. Ádám Szalai’s first-half goal was enough to seal a 1-0 victory over Germany and, despite losing their final game to Italy and missing out on a place in the finals, Hungary had still done themselves more than proud.

Group G – An All-Eastern European showdown 

In qualifying for Euro 2024, Hungary have been drawn alongside four other Eastern European nations. Serbia look like they will provide the sternest test. They beat Portugal away from home to seal a place at the upcoming World Cup, and they will be the favourites to top the group.

The other nations alongside the Magyars competing for the right to represent their country in Germany are Montenegro, Bulgaria, and Lithuania, and Hungary will fancy their chances at defeating all three of them.

The top two will qualify automatically for the tournament and, with Marco Rossi at the helm, as well as the talented Szoboszlai being the creator-in-chief, it’s very possible that they will make it three from three in 18 months’ time.

Changing country could cost Hungary’s first Winter Olympic gold medallists a lot

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Hungary’s first Olympic gold medalists, the Liu brothers, Sándor Shaolin and Shaoang Shaolin, have asked the Hungarian National Skating Federation (MOKSZ) to allow them to continue competing in other countries. However, this could be very expensive.

Hungary’s first Winter Olympic gold medallists change countries

As we have reported, the Hungarian National Skating Federation (MOKSZ) has announced in a press release that Sándor Shaolin and Shaoang Shaolin have requested the federation to continue competing in another country. The Liu brothers did not name the country.

Liu Shaoang, a two-time Olympic champion, won the 500m sprint in 2022, while four years ago he won a medal as a member of the relay team. He is also a six-time world champion. His brother Liu Shaolin was also a member of the 2018 relay team and was the runner-up, winning the first Winter Olympic gold medal in Hungary’s history.

The Liu sisters had already indicated in August that they would like to train in China, following their coach Lina Zhang, who left the Hungarian national team, 444.hu reports.

Exit could be expensive

Lajos Kósa, the head of the MOKSZ, said “I will propose to the presidency to release the boys, but the outstanding obligation must be settled”.

There are obligations around the Liu brothers’ competition rights that someone has to settle if they want to compete in Chinese colours instead of Hungarian, writes nso.hu.

In the event of a change of country, the athlete may not compete in International Skating Federation competitions for three years, unless the costs incurred during the last three-year period for the athlete are paid to the IOCI. These costs can be up to HUF 100-150 million (EUR 249-374 thousand) per athlete.

Kósa said it was understandable that the Liu brothers would follow their coach to China. It also makes economic sense, with the Hungarian state paying 50 million forints for an Olympic gold medal and China paying two million dollars, or 800 million forints. To change countries, Sándor Shaolin and Shaoang must renounce their Hungarian citizenship and thus their Olympic annuity.

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Hungary’s first Winter Olympic gold medallist changes country! – PHOTOS

liu shaoang and liu shaolin

The Hungarian Olympic champion Liu brothers, Sándor Shaolin and Shaoang Shaolin, have asked the Hungarian National Skating Federation (Magyar Országos Korcsolyázó Szövetség, MOKSZ) for its consent to start the process leading to the change of country.

According to a statement by the MOKSZ, the Liu brothers, Sándor Shaolin and Shaoang, have initiated a change of country. According to the federation, the Liu brothers do not name a country in their application and the national federation has not formally or informally made any claim to the MOKSZ for the two athletes’ right to compete, Index reports.

The Liu brothers

Liu Shaoang, a two-time Olympic champion, won the 500 sprint this year and four years ago as a member of the relay team. He is also a six-time world champion. Liu Shaoang first showcased his talents at the 2017 World Junior Championships in Innsbruck, where he won the 500m, 1000m and 1500m world titles, a feat unmatched in the sport.

Liu Shaolin claimed the historic 2018 Olympic gold medal (Hungary’s first at the Winter Olympics) as the relay’s finishing man and is also a two-time world champion. He won the 1000m at this year’s Olympics but was disqualified, Telex writes.

The Liu brothers announced in August that they would be preparing for the season in China, following their Chinese coach, Lina Zhang, who left the Hungarian national team. They justified their decision by saying that she had taught them not only sport but also life and that they would continue together. The two brothers spent part of their childhood in China.

What about the 2026 Winter Olympics?

In order to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, the two athletes will have to miss three years of competition if the Hungarian federation does not agree to the change of country. The president of the Hungarian federation, Lajos Kósa, told Mandiner at the beginning of August that they will compete in Hungarian colours. The federation was so confident that they would represent Hungary in the future that they even financed their current training camp.

Life annuity

The Hungarian state provides an annuity to Olympic medallists if they are Hungarian citizens. This annuity is payable from the age of 35 and is adjusted to the average salary at the time. Shaolin, who will turn 27 in November, would receive around HUF 800,000 (EUR 1990) a month for the rest of his life, while 24-year-old Shaoang would receive HUF 1.5 million (EUR 3730) a month if they retain their Hungarian citizenship, Telex writes. However, if they lose their Hungarian citizenship, they will not be entitled to the annuity either.

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Read alsoPHOTOS: Hungarians win silver, bronze at WorldSkills Competition 2022

Hungary and the 1954 World Cup: a history to remember

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It is impossible to talk about great soccer teams without mentioning the Hungary of the 1950s. Today, the Hungarian team will rarely appear among the favorites when it comes to the soccer Vegas odds, but the nation played a huge role in the history of soccer.

If the blessed 1954 World Cup had been in Hungarian hands, perhaps soccer in the country could be different nowadays. And if the political conflicts between Hungary and USSR hadn’t existed, maybe the country would have had the chance to hold on to its stars for longer.

Even without a World Cup title, Hungary made history. Puskás, Kocsis, Hidegkuti, and company put on so many shows, that soccer will never forget that stupendous team, nicknamed the Magyar Magicians, who innovated the sport with the “WW” formation (which would be the embryo of Brazil’s 4-2-4 in the 1958 World Cup) and stunned countless opponents (including Brazil), among them the superb England, who beat them six times at Wembley Stadium.

It’s time to remember the great history of Hungary and the 1954 World Cup.

The 1954 World Cup would be marked as the one with the highest goal average in history: an absurd 5.4 goals per game! That’s right! There were 140 goals in 26 games! This astronomical goal average was benefited, of course, by Hungary.

In the first round, two victories: 9-0 against South Korea and 8-3 against Germany. They scored 17 goals in two games. Surreal? Not for Puskás, Kocsis, and Hidegkuti, who were flying high at that World Cup.

In the quarter-finals, Hungary faced Brazil in a game that would become the most violent ever recorded in World Cups at the time and which became known as the “Battle of Bern”.

There were three red cards (all recorded in the World Cup, in a single match!) and a lot of fisticuffs. In the end, Hungarian soccer prevailed, beating Brazil 4-2.

In the semifinal, an epic game against Uruguay. The match was well fought, showing the quality of the Uruguayans and scaring the Magyars a little.

After a 2-2 draw in normal time, however, Hungary showed more power of precision and scored two goals: 4-2 to Hungary. The team was in the final. It was time for the coronation of the greatest squad on the planet. It was, were it not for the Germans…

After experiencing the “Battle of Berne”, Hungary had to witness another feat in the Swiss city – a miracle. The world’s most feared and formidable team inexplicably succumbed to Fritz Walter’s Germany and lost 3-2. How could a team like that, full of stars, lose a World Cup that was won? Several factors can explain it.

In the first round, Germany was beaten by Hungary, remember? Yes, but in that game the Germans spared five starters in the defeat to the Magyars, thinking about the next game. In other words, Hungary did not face the full strength of the Germans.

Another point was that in that first-round match, German defender Liebrich made a hard tackle on Hungary’s biggest star, Puskás. The player left the field injured in the first half, missed the following matches, and played the final “injured”.

Another point: Hungary came from a tough match against Uruguay, which was only decided in extra time, and was visibly tired. Germany, on the other hand, came from an easy 6-1 victory over Austria.

The last point: The final match was played under a deluge, a torrential downpour. This spoiled the touch-and-go soccer of the Magyars, and the strength and sturdiness of the Germans prevailed.

A small unproven point is that at halftime, with the match tied 2-2 and the Germans in the dressing room, Adi Dassler, founder of the Adidas brand, changed the cleats on the players’ boots so that they would slip less. True or not, the fact is that Germany was much better prepared for that game than the magical Hungarians.

It was Hungary’s first defeat after 32 matches, from June 1950 until the fateful July 4th, 1954. A record. The team also set the following records, still unmatched in World Cups:

  • Most goals scored in a single Cup: 27 goals;
  • Highest average number of goals scored in a single Cup: 5.4 goals per game;
  • Highest goal difference in a single Cup: +17 goals;
  • Top scorer with the highest average number of goals in a single Cup: Kocsis, with 2.2 goals per game – 11 goals in 5 games

Defeat in the final of a World Cup that had almost been won was a blow to Hungary. The team would never be the same again and never repeat the resounding success of 1954 and even earlier World Cups.

Players retired from the national team, and the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 and the various conflicts in the country due to Soviet influence culminated at the end of the magic. Never again had the world seen a team as deadly in attack as that of Hungary.

Movie about three-time Olympic champion Áron Szilágyi was screened in New York

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A movie about 3-times Olympic fencing champion Áron Szilágyi has been screened at the Hungarian Consulate General in New York, and the head of the United States Fencing Association and American athletes were among those who viewed the portrait and sports documentary directed by András Pires Muhi.

During his visit to the US, Szilágyi, a Hungarian ambassador of talent, has attended several fencing clubs and centres for fostering talent, and on Saturday he visited a foundation set up by Olympic bronze medalist Peter Westbrook, whose goal is helping poor children to integrate socially through sports.

Szilágyi told MTI that sport is a great tool for community-building and social integration, as youngsters are given opportunities to show their talents at an early age. The movie entitled One for All is not only a portrait of Szilágyi but also depicts the rollercoaster ride of successes and failures that an elite athlete goes through. The screening was organised in cooperation with Hungary’s National Talent Centre (NTK).

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Major hockey leagues in the World

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The NHL is arguably one of the most popular and top hockey leagues in the world in terms of viewership, fanbase, and talent. Top players globally aspire to play in the NHL and win the legendary Stanley Cup. However, the hockey league is not an exclusive North American confederation, as many European-based leagues also keep developing talent. In this discussion, we explore the major hockey leagues in the world. Read on;

National Hockey League (NHL)

The National Hockey League, or NHL, is North America’s professional ice hockey league. It was founded in 1917 as a successor to the National Hockey Association. Today, it comprises 30 teams from the United States and Canada. The NHL’s regular season runs from October to April, and each team plays 82 games.

The NHL is widely considered the premier professional ice hockey league worldwide. The playoffs, which are single-elimination tournaments, are held in May and June. The Stanley Cup, the league’s championship trophy, is awarded to the winning team of the NHL odds playoffs.

The Ontario Hockey League (OHL)

The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) was established in 1980 and is among the world’s best junior hockey leagues. It consists of 20 clubs, seventeen of which are headquartered in Ontario, Canada, 3 in Michigan, and one in Pennsylvania.

The OHL is primarily regarded as the premier development league for NHL prospects, with many of its players going on to have successful professional careers. Each club may have players aged between 16 and 21 on its roster who play 68 games throughout the season, from September to April.

American Hockey League (AHL)

The American Hockey League is the major developing league of the National Hockey League (NHL). It’s a professional ice hockey league based in the U.S. and Canada. It debuted in 1936 with just seven teams and has subsequently expanded to include 32 clubs throughout North America. Twenty-six teams are in the U.S., while six are in Canada.

The AHL offers a high level of competition for young players and a stepping stone to the NHL for those wishing to advance their skills. It has also been a popular destination for veteran players trying to prolong their careers. As a result, the league has become an essential component of the North American hockey scene.

Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL)

The Deutsche Eishockey Liga, or DEL, is Germany’s highest professional ice hockey league. The DEL was established in 1994 and now includes 15 teams from across the nation. Each club plays 52 games throughout the season, from September to April. The top four teams then progress to the playoffs to win the German title.

The DEL is primarily regarded as one of Europe’s most significant leagues, producing several NHL players throughout the years. Almost one-third of all NHL players are of German heritage. Marcel Goc, Marco Sturm, and Dennis Seidenberg are among the notable DEL graduates.

National League A (NLA)

The National League A is Switzerland’s highest ice hockey league. It was established in 1937 and now has 14 teams.

National League A is largely regarded as one of Europe’s greatest hockey leagues, and it has produced numerous NHL players, including Mark Streit and Roman Josi. Each club plays 52 games throughout the season, with the top eight teams progressing to the playoffs. The playoffs are a single-elimination event, with the winner declared Swiss champions.

Slovak Extraliga (Tipsport Extraliga)

The Slovak Extraliga, also known as the Tipsport Extraliga, is the highest level of professional ice hockey in Slovakia. Founded in 1993, the league currently comprises 12 teams, each playing 54 games during the regular season. The top six teams then qualify for the playoffs, with the eventual winner crowned Slovakian champion.

The Tipsport Extraliga has produced some of Slovakia’s most successful hockey players, including Marion Gaborik, Pavol Demitra, and Zdeno Chara. In recent years, the league has also been increasingly competitive internationally, with Slovakian teams frequently qualifying for European competitions such as the Champions Hockey League and Continental Cup. With its skilled players and exciting games, the Tipsport Extraliga is one of Europe’s premier ice hockey leagues.

Conclusion

If you’re a hockey lover, you can get more action by following international leagues. The North American ones bring plenty of engaging drama throughout the season, but there’s no reason we can’t cheer up players from other countries.

Hungary priced at 250/1 to win Euro 2024

Hungary vs Italy

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While most of the eyes of the footballing world will be on the World Cup next month, in Hungary, the international focus is on two summer’s time.

A fourth-placed finish in the UEFA World Cup Qualifying Group I saw Hungary fail to qualify for next month’s tournament in Qatar. They missed out on a Play-Off place by just three points to Group I runners-up Poland, who went on to book their place at the World Cup Finals.

Despite the major disappointment, the nation will be buoyed by their recent performances in the UEFA Nations League. Drawn into an extremely difficult group alongside England, Italy and Germany, many anticipated Hungary being relegated to League B.

However, that fate belonged to England, who Hungary thrashed 4-0 at Molineux during the summer. Marco Rossi’s team came within a whisker of winning Group A3 and progressing to the Nations League Finals, eventually finishing second behind only Italy.

Hungary only had to avoid defeat at home to the Italians to progress to the final four in the summer of 2023, but a 2-0 defeat saw the reigning European Champions snatch their place at the death. While that result came with enormous disappointment, the Nations League campaign as a whole showed tremendous progression from a team who were beaten 4-0 at home to England less than a year earlier.

As such, the focus will now be on the qualifying campaign for the 2024 European Championships which start in March next year. Their performances in the Nations League led to them being top seeds for Euro 2024 qualifying as they were drawn alongside Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria and Lithuania — a group that you would expect them to qualify from.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the European Championship after the tournament was expanded to 32 teams for the first time in 2016. They face Luxembourg and Greece in friendlies in November in their final fixtures before their European Championship Qualifying campaign begins.

Hungary performed admirably at Euro 2020 given the expectations surrounding them, having put in a group with Portugal, France and Germany. While many experts had expected them to lose all three matches, they proved to be extremely competitive in all of their matches and held France and Germany to draws.

Those interested in betting on Hungary’s fortunes at the Euros would be wise to get them in early given the current value. Nowadays, there is the option to bet on anything online when it comes to sports, from offshore NBA lines to chess tournaments.

A number of soccer betting sites have already begun offering odds on the winner of Euro 2024, despite a ball not even being kicked in qualifying as of yet. One of those is BetVictor, who have Hungary best-priced at 250/1 at the time of writing to pull off an upset and become crowned European champions.

Their showings against England and Germany in particular, as well as their performances at Euro 2020, would suggest that is a price with plenty of value. They are ranked alongside teams such as Finland and Romania at 250/1, both of whom aren’t seeded in qualifying.

Hungary’s squad boasts one of the most promising attacking midfielders in Europe in Dominik Szoboszlai, who has scored six goals in 26 caps for his country at the age of 22. He is also joined in the squad by RB Leipzig teammates Peter Gulasci and Willi Orban.

Should Hungary continue their current form and secure their place at Euro 2024 in a convincing fashion, expect this 250/1 price to crash significantly ahead of the tournament in Germany.

Who is most kilely to win the Champions League?

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European club football comes down to who takes the Champions League trophy. And teams are aware of this fact and literally put their best foot forward to inch closer to the win. Each season, players battle it out for the ultimate win. Some come close, some barely scratch the surface, and some leave a mark in history. The 2022-2023 season is not different, and punters have been busy scouring sites like Bet 365, finding the best odds, and backing their favorite teams. Even so, making that decision has not been easy; it has been hard to tell which team has the upper hand. So, who will likely win the Champions League? Let’s focus on the top contenders:

Top Choices for the Champions League 2022-2023 Season

The group stage has been quite heated, and while some teams were expected to perform exemplarily, this has not been the case. Most teams are at par, and gauging who will win in the group stages has become quite challenging. But that’s the fun of it. Let’s consider the teams that have held their own despite the stiff competition:

a.    Manchester City

Many bookies and fans have termed this team a favorite. After all, it has enjoyed immense domestic success over the years, and many think this effect will spill over to the Champions League. Moreover, this team is quite intent on taking the trophy as the closest they have been to it is when they came up runners-up back in the 2020-2021 season. Manchester City was the clear winner then, but at the last moment, they suffered a resounding defeat to Chelsea. And we all know that once a team has come that close, it will keep trying to clinch the win.

Manchester City started the group stages with high momentum and is yet to lose a game, having won thrice and drawn once. With only one game left in the group stages, they will likely make it to the next round, where they will face off with the other notable teams.

b.    Real Madrid

Like Manchester City, this team has drawn once and won thrice in the group stages. With one game left, it will come out on top of Group F, as its competitors have many losses to their names. Real Madrid is no stranger to winning the coveted trophy, having bagged it in the 2021-2022 season. Before then, it had bagged the award during the 2015 to 2018 seasons.

In the 2021-2022 season, Liverpool came second, and following that loss, the team made it clear it was to bag the 2022-2023 season. However, Liverpool did not have such a smooth start to the group stages after having suffered a 4-1 defeat to Napoli. Even so, predictions are rife that it could win the last two games of the group stages, totaling four wins. It is still too early to write off this team.

c.     Bayern Munich

Group C was quite of interest to many bookies and fans. Not only did it boast Bayern Munich, but it also had Inter Milan, Barcelona, and Viktoria Plzen. So, it was clear that the German team had a lot of work cut out for it if it was to emerge the winner. The team has not disappointed its fans and has three wins in its name, with only two more games to go. Even so, its hopes hinge on it beating Viktoria Plzen and Barcelona losing points in its game vs. Inter Milan.

So, who should you bet on this season? Here’s the thing. Some punters make a killing every season, and not because their favorites win but because they have mastered how to place such profitable bets. It comes down to a few yet essential strategies, including:

  • Leaving your heart and gut out of the wager: It’s easy to back a team because you love it. For example, you may feel like a traitor if you bet against a team you actively support. However, backing a team because of your love for it or because you have a gut feeling it could win is a bad bet. Stick to the facts,
  • Keeping abreast of all the fixtures: Champions League matches are exciting as one match can change the trajectory of the whole season. So, even if you have backed a team that seems to be winning, one match may have it on the losing end. You will thus need to keep watching the games, focusing on the state of the players, and readjusting your wagers where need be,
  • Having a clear budget: The term budget may sound a bit disheartening. But wagering is an investment, and just like with any good business plan, you must have a cap on how much you will spend. Figure it out before you place your first wager and if you run out of money, quit playing and instead enjoy watching the games.

Once you have followed these strategies, you will have an easier time zeroing in on the most probable winner and making money off your wager.

Hungarian national team coach Rossi assessed the EURO 2024 qualification draw

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Hungary has been drawn in a five-team qualifying group for the 2024 European Championship, with four opponents exclusively from Central and Eastern Europe.

According to MLSZ, Marco Rossi’s squad will seek positive results against Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria and Lithuania as they aim to reach their third successive European Championship finals, due to take place in Germany.

Hungary will have good memories of recent matches against Serbia and Bulgaria, the former suffering at the hands of striker Norbert Könyves in Belgrade in 2019 and the latter succumbing in Sofia in 2020 during Hungary’s successful journey to a memorable Euro 2020 tournament.

“It could have been a more difficult group, but naturally I could have imagined an easier one too”, Marco Rossi admitted after the draw in Frankfurt.

“No one should be complacent just because we were drawn from the pot of top seeds. Serbia are ahead of us in the world rankings and have qualified for the World Cup, while we know Bulgaria and Montenegro from recent meetings and we can’t judge them on those results, because a lot can change in 2-3 years in today’s football. Difficult matches await us; we’ll need to take each match as they come and get the best out of ourselves in every game in order to be successful”.

Hungary vs Italy UEFA Nations League
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