Sport

2022 Acquatics World Championships started today in Budapest! – PHOTOS

2022 Acquatics World Championships Budapest

The 2022 Acquatics World Championships will be held between June 17 and July 3 in Budapest because Fukuoka in Japan stepped out due to the coronavirus epidemic.

According to MTI, prime minister Viktor Orbán met Husain Al-Musallam, the head of the International Swimming Federation (FINA) in Budapest, ahead of the start of the event, the prime minister’s press chief said on Friday. Budapest was appointed host of the games in February after Fukuoka, Japan, stepped back, citing the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.

Events will take place in Budapest, Debrecen, Sopron and Szeged, and will host some 2,300 athletes in five disciplines, Bertalan Havasi said.

Budapest last hosted an acquatics world championship in 2017.

Here are some photos:

2022 Acquatics World Championships Budapest
Synchronized swimming. Photo: MTI/Zsolt Szigetváry
2022 Acquatics World Championships Budapest
The Hungarian open water swim team in Balatonalmádi: Dávid Betlehem (l), Kristóf Rasovszky (c) and Anna Olasz (r). Photo: MTI/Anikó Kovács
2022 Acquatics World Championships Budapest
Anna Olasz. Photo: MTI/Anikó Kovács
2022 Acquatics World Championships Budapest
Kristóf Rasovszky. Photo: MTI/Anikó Kovács
2022 Acquatics World Championships Budapest
Photo: MTI/Zsolt Szigetváry
2022 Acquatics World Championships Budapest
Three times Olympic and nine times world champion Katinka Hosszú. Photo: MTI/Anikó Kovács
2022 Acquatics World Championships Budapest
The Hungarian water polo team training before their match with Georgia. Photo: MTI/Anikó Kovács
2022 Acquatics World Championships Budapest
The medals. Photo:
MTI/Anikó Kovács

Former Hungarian weightlifting president banned for life!

Tamás Aján, the former president of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), has been banned for life for covering up doping cases, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced on Thursday.

The 83-year-old Hungarian sports diplomat served as IWF secretary-general from 1976 and president from 2000 until his resignation in 2020.

CAS said in a statement that Aján’s case involved

“complicity in anti-doping rule violations involving multiple weightlifting athletes over a period of many years since 2012”.

A life ban for complicity was also imposed on former IWF deputy president Nicu Vlad of Romania.

The scandal broke out in 2020 after allegations by German state broadcaster ARD were verified by anti-doping investigator Richard McLaren.

The report of an investigation, led by McLaren, found that Aján had operated “a culture of fear” at the organisation, interfering in the federation’s anti-doping efforts and pursuing “absolute control” over its finances.

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Read alsoMisuse of arms and ammunition at a Hungarian university

Hungary to organize the Summer Olympics in 2036?

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The radical Mi Hazánk (Our Homeland) party on Thursday said it wants social and political debate on whether Hungary should submit a bid to host the 2036 Olympics.

Előd Novák, the party’s deputy leader, told a press conference that, relative to its population, Hungary was one of the most successful nations at the Olympics.

“We’ve earned the right to host the Games,”

he said.

Novák insisted that unlike the Winter Olympics, the Summer Games boosts the economy of the host country in the long run, in addition to the return on the various infrastructure investments. The Summer Olympics helps the tourism sector, has a positive effect on national self-esteem, and benefits public health, he said.

Hungary is hosting the World Aquatics Championships, the world’s third biggest sporting event, this year, and several of the facilities needed to host the Olympics are already built, Novák said.

Under Mi Hazánk’s plan, civil groups and political parties would help oversee the organisation of the event, thereby helping to “curb corruption”, Novak said.

He called on the government and the other opposition parties to specify the conditions under which they would support Hungary bidding to host the Olympics.

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Read alsoThree-times Hungarian Olympic champion moved to London and found tranquillity there!

“Racist bastards” – chanted English fans during Hungary’s anthem

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The UEFA Nations League did not start off peacefully between England and Hungary and things only got worse. “You racist bastards, we know what you are.” – chanted English fans during the Hungarian national anthem according to Guardian. 

The English regularly whistled during the opponent’s anthem, which was a response to the fact that some of the Hungarian fans previously booed the English anti-racist gesture, the kneeling, before the match between the two teams. – reports 444.hu. Yesterday, English fans expressed their opinion by calling Hungarians racist during the national anthem.

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The national soccer team of Hungary. Photo: MTI/Szilárd Koszticsák

Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade since posted a video on Facebook, commenting: “The national anthem was also heard in Wolverhampton thanks to the best fan base in the world. And the English only show their true colours….”

The BBC’s reaction

The BBC did not leave this incident without comment. Alex Bysouth tweeted:

“That anthem was something – Wolverhampton certainly keen to make the most of hosting international football. They also weren’t afraid to voice their opinion during the Hungarian anthem.”

He added: “Hungary had a three-game stadium closure – one suspended – for racist and homophobic behaviour by fans during Euro 2020, and the sentiment of the England fans’ chant was that the visiting supporters “know what they are…”.”

The antecedent

Let us have a look at why English fans felt the need to rudely interrupt the Hungarian anthem. Hungary has had a couple of previous incidents that led to yesterday’s chanting and booing

In the World Cup qualifiers, which –  ironically – ended with a 4-0 English victory, the kneeling English players were booed by Hungarians. In addition, Raheem Sterling, who scored the Hungarian goal, received racist insults from the stands.

Both the players and the English press described the mood of the match as hostile. After this, Hungarian adult fans were banned from the first match against England in the Nations League.

Although the majority of the stadium was filled with Hungarian children, they did not prove to be too well mannered either. When members of the English national team, as usual, knelt before the kick-off expressing their protest against racism, Hungarian children whistled.

In yesterday’s match, however, no loud booing could be heard from Hungarian supporters.

This is how Hungary knocked England out in Wolverhampton – VIDEOS

Hungary England triumph football

Roland Sallai scored twice as our men’s national team thrashed European Championship finalists England 4-0 in the Nations League in Wolverhampton on Tuesday night.

A scarcely believable result began to take shape in the 16th minute when Ádám Lang nodded down a deep cross and Sallai crashed a volley high inside England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale’s right post to hand the visitors an early lead.

Hungary dealt well with everything England threw at them for the next 54 minutes, their most dangerous moment coming nine minutes before half-time when goalkeeper Dénes Dibusz had to make an outstanding save from his own player Willi Orbán’s inadvertent header at goal.

Sallai then doubled his team’s advantage via a swift counter-attack, substitute Martin Ádám slipping the ball through to the Freiburg forward surging into England penalty are, who finished expertly first-time under Ramsdale with his right foot.

This was already the stuff of dreams for Marco Rossi’s side, but incredibly there was more, much more to come. Firstly, after England’s Harry Kane had hit the crossbar with a looping header, Ádám was first to fellow replacement Loic Nego’s deflected downward header and when he set up Zsolt Nagy for a shot, the Puskás Akadémia wingback unleashed a low, rasping drive which arrowed past Ramsdale and into the very left side of the England goal.

Two minutes later and a second yellow card for England defender John Stones left Hungary facing just ten men and in the 89th minute two of their substitutes took full advantage, Ádám Nagy releasing Dániel Gazdag with a sweet through pass which the latter pounced upon before dinking the ball left-footed past a befuddled Ramsdale and into the right corner of the England net.

That sealed a sensational 4-0 victory for Hungary, who inflicted

England’s worst home defeat in 94 years

upon them, eclipsing even the famous Magical Magyars’ 6-3 success in 1953 in terms of margin of victory. Indeed, that achievement by Ferenc Puskás’ Golden Team was Hungary’s only win away in England ever. Until now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLusnvEH9-k

More good news soon arrived with the headline that Germany had defeated Italy 5-2 in the group’s other game, meaning that Hungary will look forward to September’s final two group-stage fixtures knowing that they top the group on seven points from four matches, one point ahead of Germany whom they face away on 23rd September and a further point clear of third-placed Italy, against whom they close this Nations League top-tier campaign on 26th September.

England 0-4 Hungary (HT 0-1)
Goalscorers: Sallai (16, 70), Zs. Nagy (80) Gazdag (89).

England: Ramsdale; James, Guéhi, Stones, Walker; Gallagher (Mount 56), Phillips, Bellingham (Foden 68); Saka (Maguire 85), Kane, Bowen (Sterling 46)

Hungary: Dibusz; Lang, Orbán, At. Szalai; Fiola, Schäfer, Styles (A Nagy 55), Zs Nagy; Szoboszlai (Gazdag 55), Sallai (Négo 78); Ad. Szalai (Ádám 68).


Here is an instant fan reaction from Wolverhampton:

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Read alsoHistoric victory: Hungary defeated England 4-0 in England! – PHOTOS

Top 5 best Hungarian footballers

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Football is one of the most popular sports in Hungary, with lots of Hungarians going to football matches, and placing bets on the winning team. Since the Golden Era for Hungarian football of the 1930s-1950s, the national team fans had to wait a long time for their historic victory over England in its fourth match in the 4th round of the UEFA Nations League. What are the five best Hungarian footballers who could follow in Ferenc Puskas’s footsteps?

1. Dominik Szoboszlai

This 21-year-old midfielder had his debut in 2019, and since then he has been present in the national team. He won the Austrian Bundesliga title with his club, and thanks to his outstanding performances, he became the most expensive Hungarian player, with a transfer fee of €20 million from Red Bull Salzburg to RB Liepzig. .

2. Roland Sallai 

This 25-year-old right winger scored two goals at the historic match with England in the 2022 UEFA Nations League.  He made his debut at the age of 17. He was part of the Hungarian U-20 team at the 2015 FIFA World Cup, and scored his first goal for the national team in 2018. He played  for the national team more than 20 times. In 2018 Sallai signed a deal with SC Freiburg for a €4.5 million fee.

3. Peter Gulácsi 

This 32-year-old experienced goalkeeper, debuted in 2014, and has played over 40 matches in the national team since then. At the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup, he saved three penalties in the match between Hungary and Costa Rica, giving his team bronze medals. In 2010 he was the substitute goalkeeper UEFA Europa League in the Liverpool team. Since 2015 he has been playing for RB Leipzig.

4. Vilmos Tamas Orban

Willi, a 29-year-old centre-back with German and Polish roots, made his UEFA Nations League debut when Hungary defeated Greece in 2018. After successful appearances in Germany’s U21 team, his career with the Hungarian national team began. He has played for the national team almost 30 times.

5. Ádám Nagy

Born in 1995 defensive midfield player, was part of the Hungary U-20 team in 2015, the same year he started his career in the Hungary National team in a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifications. Since 2016, a player in Serie A, in 2021 he signed a contract with Serie B club Pisa.

During the 1950s, the Hungarian National Team was one of the greatest in the world, surprising many by losing a game against Germany in the 1954 World Cup. Even though these stars aren’t likely to win a World Cup, they are some promising prospects for the future. If you are interested in the transfers of these players let’s take a look at some bonus offers

Historic victory: Hungary defeated England 4-0 in England! – PHOTOS

Hungary-England-football-victory

The Hungarian soccer team defeated the English national team in Wolverhampton, England. That is the first time a Hungarian team was able to defeat England on home soil after Puskás’s Golden Team in 1953 in the Match of the Century (3-6) in the Wembley, London.

Hungary defeated England in its fourth match in the 4th round of the UEFA Nations League. Marco Rossi’s team scored four goals: Roland Sallai in the 16th and the 70th minute, Zsolt Nagy in the 80th and Dániel Gazdag in the 89th minute. Meanwhile, England could not threaten Hungary’s goal.

The result means that Hungary leads its group in the UEFA Nations League with 7 points.

After Germany’s victory over Italy (5-2), the Nationalelf is in second place with 6 points. Italy is third with 5 points, while England stands in the last position with only 2 points.

Hungary-England-football-victory
The national soccer team of Hungary. Photo: MTI/Szilárd Koszticsák

Marco Rossi’s team defeated England in Budapest but suffered a defeat (2-1) in Cesena against Italy in a balanced match last week. Last Saturday, Hungary played 1-1 with Germany in Budapest.

The last time Hungary was able to defeat England on home soil was in 1953 when Puskás’s Golden Team defeated them 3-6 in the Wembley. However, now the goal difference is higher.

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Hungary supporters in Wolverhampton. Photo: MTI/Szilárd Koszticsák
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Photo: MTI/Szilárd Koszticsák
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Dániel Gazdag after scoring the fourth goal. Photo: MTI/Szilárd Koszticsák

This is what Rossi said to the team after the German match

After the victory against England, Hungarians had another excellent performance in the Puskás Arena, this time against four-time World Cup winner Germany. Marco Rossi’s team took an eighth-minute lead through left wing-back Zsolt Nagy, only for the visitors to respond quickly. Thereafter though, it was Hungary who had any shots on target.

The guys played very well, which wasn’t easy because the match sapped a lot of energy,”

Rossi commented after the final whistle. “We weren’t great in possession of the ball, but Italy played in a similar way against Germany. I’m happy with the result, but I wish we could have more possession of the ball because if the opponent has the ball, it can move our defence around a lot and well, we can have a very hard time. Germany played well, but we did well in stopping them from moving the ball between their defence and their midfielders, something which required a huge amount of work from the players involved.

I just want to congratulate the boys and the fans as well, because they were a great encouragement to the team yet again.

I’m happy with the boys’ performance and also that no opponent can be sure they’ll score against us. Years ago, the criticism of the team was that we couldn’t run, but now we’ve shown again that they can run and fight. That’s what I love about this team; they don’t give up and they fight all the way. Players, of course, need to keep evolving to compete with the biggest world stars in every match, so we need to get to that level but we’re on the right track.

We hope we can get a point from England too, and that will be our goal“.

Considering the result of this evening, we can say that the head coach was a bit pessimistic regarding the performance of the Hungarian team.

Hungary Germany football Budapest
Read alsoUEFA Nations League: Germany could not defeat Hungary – PHOTOS

UEFA Nations League: Germany could not defeat Hungary – PHOTOS

Hungary Germany football Budapest

Germany could not defeat Hungary in Budapest’s Puskás Stadium in the 3rd fixture of the UEFA Nations League’s group stage. England’s national team suffered a defeat last week there, the first in the past 60 years. Today’s match against the Nationalelf ended in a 1-1 draw even though everybody considered a German victory much more possible.

The Hungarian soccer team surprised everybody again except for its supporters. Germany could not defeat it in the Puskás Stadium where the home team played nicely against the Nationalelf. The two goals came early:

Zsolt Nagy scored the first in the 6th minute.

Unfortunately, the team and the supporters could not enjoy the lead for long: Germany equalised in the 9th minute with Jonas Hofman’s goal.

Hungary supporters. Photo: MTI/Tibor Illyés
Ádám Szalai and Nico Schlotterbeck. Photo: Tibor Illyés

Currently, the Hungarian team stands in second place in its group with four points. The group also included the European champion Italy and the silver medalist England. Szoboszlai’s team defeated England last week in Budapest but suffered a defeat (2-1) in Cesena against Italy in a balanced match this week.

The next duel awaits the Hungarian team in England on June 14, next Tuesday.

Photo: MTI/Tibor Illyés
Styles Callum (b) and Willi Orbán. Photo: MTI/Tamás Kovács

Hungary’s head coach: Germany will be toughest June opponents

Hungary’s head coach, Marco Rossi, said before the match that Germany would be the toughest of all his team’s Nations League opponents this month. He emphasised that only a disciplined, organised game can be used to compete against the world’s leading opponents, following and following tactical instructions.

“We had little time to prepare in addition to regeneration, but we’ve tried our best to prepare tactically for Germany,”

Rossi said to the waiting cameras.

Against England, we produced the best performance since I’ve been sitting on the national team’s bench.

Photo: MTI/Tamás Kovács
Hungary supporters before the match in Budapest. Photo: MTI/Tamás Kovács

Against the Italians, several mistakes slipped into our game, and against a rival of this strength, even the slightest mistake will often have to pay an expensive price. I’m satisfied that in the previous matches we didn’t allow much space for the opponent and that the players followed the instructions.

We played football in an organised way, which is the only way to compete with rivals of this strength. It is important that everyone keeps their feet on the ground and

maintains realistic expectations of the team.”

It seems the team could carry out the head coach’s instructions.

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Read alsoEverything you need to know about how to gain Hungarian citizenship

Heightened security measures await Hungary fans in Italy

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Hungary is to meet the UEFA European Championships title holder, Italy, in its next Nations League match. The venue will be Cesena, a city not far from San Marino, which counts around 100,000 residents. Last Saturday, Hungary defeated England 1-0 with a penalty kick in Budapest.

Heightened security awaits Hungarian fans

According to hvg.hu, Hungary will meet Italy on Tuesday in Cesena, where there will be 300 police officers on duty during the match. The duel is scheduled to start at 8.45 pm. The Italian Corriere di Bologna reported about the heightened security measures of the local police.

The Italian media outlet wrote that the Hungarian fans’ reputation precedes them. Their violent, sometimes racist and homophobic behaviour is well-known to the police all over Europe, Corriere di Bologna said. That is why the Hungarian Football Association received a three-match stadium ban.

No take-away purchase for Hungarian fans

In Cesena, there will be 300 police officers taking care of public orders and security. They expect 1,500 Hungarian supporters for whom they appoint a designated fan zone in the city park, accessible between 11 am and 7 pm. Moreover, the local government prohibited the sale of bottled drinks and take-away orders on Tuesday in the shops and restaurants.

 

As we reported earlier, the European Football Association (UEFA) originally imposed three closed-door penalties on the Hungarian national team due to their supporters’ discriminatory behaviour during EURO 2920. However, the Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ) turned the UEFA disciplinary regulations to its advantage, as article 73 makes an exemption in the case of children under age 14 accompanied by their guardians. The federation took the opportunity and invited 30,000 children, free of charge, who later verbally expressed their disdain towards England while the foreign team took a knee.

According to BBC, this is a critical blind spot in UEFA’s regulations. The closed-door penalty should have been a deterrent, instead, the Hungarian team was allowed to play in a festive atmosphere.

Hungary's population
Read alsoHungarian children booed England’s kneeling soccer team! – VIDEO

Hungarian children booed England’s kneeling soccer team! – VIDEO

Hungary's population

The Hungarian national football team played much better than England in places on Saturday evening. The question in everyone remains: why were there over 30.000 children cheering for the home team? Continue reading our article to find out more.

Last Saturday evening, the Hungarian soccer team beat their English rivals at the Puskás Arena. The English team were the European silver medalists, this is why their defeat is surprising. We can firmly say that their first day of the 2022-2023 Nations League is not off to a great start. To great outrage from the foreign team, the audience was not made up of adults. This time, it was children who cheered on the Hungarian team.

Why were there children in the Hungarian arena?

The European Football Association (UEFA) originally imposed three closed-gate penalties on the Hungarian national team. This is because last summer’s European Championship was attended by unruly Hungarian fans. The penalty was later reduced to two closed-gate matches and the second closed-gate match was then suspended for two years, writes Magyar Nemzet. This is the very reason why the Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ) had to play by the rules. They took the opportunity to invite children under the age of 14, free of charge.

The case is that the 30.000 children verbally expressed their disdain towards England while the foreign team took a knee.

Here is a video about what happened:

According to the BBC, this is a thought-provoking blind spot in UEFA’s regulations, as while the closed-gate penalty should have been a deterrent, instead the Hungarian team were allowed to play in a festive atmosphere.

English press coverage of Hungarian victory

While the Hungarian soccer players celebrate, the English have to face the harsh truth. Their performance was indeed so lacklustre that not even their press could console them. The “tired and mediocre” play of the English team could not prevent the Hungarian victory, Origó reports. Gareth Southgate could not see any encouraging signs in his team’s play. They were rarely able to cause any trouble in front of the Hungarian goal, while the home side played much more creatively and determinedly – writes the BBC.

They liken England to a “dead battery” which they have tried in vain to revive.

The Guardian compares the England team to toothless lions, and the paper agrees that England played one of the worst games in our history in Budapest. The Guardian says Zsolt Nagy sprawled “theatrically” before the penalty. The England team was compared to the children cheering from up above.

The England team were slow, ponderous – the foreign press adds.

Hungary defeats England in Nations League! – PHOTOS

Hungary-England-football-match-Budapest.

Hungary defeated England in the UEFA Nations League in Budapest with Dominik Szoboszlai’s penalty. The final result was 1-0, so Hungary started the tournament with an unexpected victory. The last time Hungary could defeat England on a non-friendly match was in 1962. Congratulations to the national team!

According to infostart.hu, more than 30 thousand children cheered for the Hungarian team today in the Puskás Aréna, Budapest. Interestingly, the Hungarian Football Association (MLSZ) was hit with a five-match supporter ban because of racist abuse during last year’s European Championship. However, the MLSZ found a loophole in the UEFA rules allowing children under 14 to enter the stadium. That is what happened today in the Puskás Aréna and, surprisingly, the English national team was booed by the kids (and their parents) when they took the knee at the beginning of the match.

This was the first match for Hungary in the 3rd Nations League. In the 2018-2019 and 2021-2022 UEFA Nations League, the Hungarian team could not advance from its group.

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Photo: MTI/Zsolt Szigetváry
Hungary-England-football-match-Budapest.
Photo: MTI/Szilárd Koszticsák
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Photo: MTI/Zsolt Szigetváry

The two teams:

  • Hungary’s starting line-up: Gulácsi – Lang, W. Orbán, Szalai A. – Nego, Nagy Á., Schäfer, Nagy Zs. – Sallai R., Szoboszlai – Szalai Á.
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The Hungarian national team defeating England today. Photo: MTI/Szilárd Koszticsák
  • England’s starting line-up: Pickford – K. Walker, Maguire, Coady – Alexander-Arnold, Rice, Bellingham, Justin – Bowen, Kane, Mount.

Read also: Ferencváros wins soccer championship – VIDEO

On a yesterday press conference Hungary defender Ádám Lang spoke of, amongst other things, the national team having made progress in the recent past and the players wanting to maintain the organised, stable defence which now characterises the team, while also keeping the ball more.

We want to prove we’ve evolved. Everyone is looking forward to the next match – it will be a serious challenge, but it’s good to play against such opponents!

We can test ourselves; I think that’s how everyone in the team thinks. I feel good and it’s always a pleasure to join up with the national team. The mood is good, but there’s not been any problem with this in the last few years, and this is essential for us to be able to perform well on the pitch in all four Nations League matches“, Lang concluded.

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Read alsoFerenc Puskás’s granddaughter and great-granddaughter became Hungarian citizens! – PHOTOS

Is it a case of when and not if Dominik Szoboszlai gets to the summit of European football?

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Dominik Szoboszlai is undoubtedly a player who could put Hungarian football back on the map. Currently, the Székesfehérvár-born left-winger is plying his trade in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig and after a somewhat slow start in Germany, the player is beginning to find his range.

Indeed, Szoboszlai recently helped Leipzig claim their first major trophy after the club won the German Cup having beaten Freiburg on penalties following extra time. The Hungarian came off the bench to help the Roten Bullen prevail in the shootout and with that, has written his name into Leipzig’s folklore history courtesy of being part of a team that has delivered the first trophy since the club’s inception in 2009.

 

Needless to say, Szoboszlai has endeared himself to the Leipzig fans, and after signing a contract that runs until the summer of 2025, there will theoretically be many more years for the faithful to marvel at the Hungarian’s talents.

The world is the Hungarian’s oyster

The reality, however, is that the player could be on the move a lot sooner than that with the Premier League said to be his desired destination should a move present itself. Those who have followed Szoboszlai’s career will, at this point, dismiss any idea that the Hungarian would choose England’s top flight over another league in the world after turning Arsenal down in December 2020. Whilst this is true and the Gunners did make a move for the midfielder, there are strong contributing factors for this when you consider that Arsenal were not playing in the Champions League and that Szoboszlai felt that it would be too soon in his development to take on the robust and unforgiving nature of the most competitive league in the world. Put differently, should Szoboszlai have gone to the Barclays Premier League and failed, then it would have been a major step back in his career. Rather, the player wisely followed the counsel of his advisors by cutting his teeth at the Red Bull Arena instead.

A year and a half after that decision, the situation has admittedly changed. Arsenal, for instance, are, as of the 24th of May, at just 9/4 in the latest football betting to qualify for the Champions League next season following significant improvements at the club under Mikel Arteta’s management. Meanwhile, Szoboszlai now has the physique of a player who could hold his own in England’s top flight which was not the case in late 2020. As you can see, we’re at the stage where a move would make sense for both parties but the truth is that this is a player who could easily end up on the books of any of Europe’s best clubs as he is by far and away one of the most talented players on the continent. When all is said and done, however, this is not a piece that is centered on speculation but rather an article that wishes to address what is an inevitability; Szoboszlai is destined for the very top, whether it be Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool or AC Milan.

 

A generational talent

It doesn’t take long to come to this conclusion after seeing the player turn out for Leipzig. Indeed, Szoboszlai is blessed with a turn of pace that makes it almost impossible for a defender to stop him from a standing start. Additionally, even when a defender is facing the Hungarian and jockeying back to goal, the winger has a tendency to effortlessly drop his shoulder and float past his man which often draws a foul. You can, all of a sudden, see why Szoboszlai is a nightmare to contain in the box and also the reason he constantly wins so many penalties as defenders often push the panic button once he glides by.

Another feature of Szoboszlai’s game is that he has the ability to use both feet which dramatically increases his goal ratio as he can get a shot off in the box irrespective of which foot it may fall on. Once again, this leads to a heightened sense of panic whenever he is on the ball as defenders don’t have the luxury of showing him down the channel and then expecting the attack to fizzle out or have to go backward.

It goes without saying but should still be pointed out that these are rare traits for a footballer to have. Of course, you can see flashes of this type of genius in other players but it is the ability to perform consistently which sets Szoboszlai apart and makes him one of the shining lights in European football.

World’s 8th best Hungarian chess player to represent Romania?

Hungarian chess player Richárd Rapport

The best Hungarian chess player, who is the 5th best in the world, Richárd Rapport, received the sponsorship offer of his lifetime. If he accepts it, he can have a chance to become the world’s best. However, like everything, money comes with a price. He has to continue his career in Romanian colours.

The best Hungarian to become a Romanian chess player

According to Blikk, it is quite likely that Richárd Rapport will compete in Romanian colours in the 2022 candidates tournament in Madrid. Sacha Dragic, the CEO of Superbet, the main sponsor of the 2022 Superbet Chess Classic Romania, approached Rapport with an offer he probably cannot and will not refuse.

The Serbian entrepreneur’s offer can help Rapport reach the top of the chess world within the next few years.

Richárd Rapport (26) won a silver in the 2014 Chess Olympics in Norway. Now he might continue in Romanian colours. Rapport has not given an interview for years, but his father confirmed that the best Hungarian chess player would represent Romania in future tournaments.

Hungarian chess player Richárd Rapport
Richárd Rapport. Photo: FB

As far as I know, Ricsi decided to accept the offer meaning that he will compete as a Romanian player” –

Rapport’s father told 24.hu. Rapport was 5th on the world list until last week when he fell to 8th place. Interestingly, in 2024, Budapest will organise the Chess Olympics, where Rapport has a chance to become the world’s best.

Possible reasons

Rapport has been living with his wife since he was 18 in Serbia. However, he has never wanted to compete under a non-Hungarian flag before. Tamás Rapport, the father of the Hungarian genius, said his son’s life was very similar to Rocky Balboa’s in the famous movie. In contrast to his opponents’ lavish circumstances, he prepared for the competitions “under nomadic conditions.” That is because the state support of Hungarian chess is way behind other sports. It is like a desert, the father said. In the years of the Olympics, there can be oases.

Otherwise, drought rules.

After the change of the regime, no brand and marketing strategy was created for the Hungarian chess. It is not represented in the news media. Thus, it is not surprising that Richárd Rapport had only two sponsors during his successful career. 

Hungarian chess player Richárd Rapport
Photo: FB

24.hu wrote that in 2021 and 2022, Rapport received no money from the Hungarian Chess Federation. He paid everything from the money he won in previous tournaments. Therefore, his 5th place among the world’s best is even more respectable.

Thanks to his silver medal in the 2014 chess Olympics, he could receive a life annuity, but he is not 35-year-old yet. Even though Rapport nominated his father as his coach, he does not receive money.

According to 24.hu, the Hungarian Chess Federation supported Rapport to the fullest possible extent after 2019. They added that, currently, chess players cannot obtain the scholarship of the Gerevich Foundation, but the federation continues to lobby to change that rule. They also highlighted that they regard Richárd Rapport as the biggest value of Hungarian chess. They cheer for him, support him and count on him.

Hungarian chess player Richárd Rapport
Photo: FB

Working on a long-term solution?

Nemzeti Sport reached out to László Szabó, the chairman of the Hungarian Chess Federation, in regard to the issue. Szabó said that Rapport is a brilliant mind who was discovered and trained by his father. He chose to become a professional player and made a living from chess. However, the national federation, cannot compete with the money circulating in the world’s biggest chess tournaments. Szabó highlighted that they did what they could to support him.

He said Rapport had not been a member of the national team of Hungary for five years because he did not have the time for it. He said he understood that.

Szabó added that it happened many times that famous chess players changed the flags under which they competed. For example, Levon Aronjan started his career as an Armenian and later became a US player. 

Szabó said they were working on a long-term solution to keep Rapport at all costs.

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Read alsoPrince Charles is in this Szekler village in Transylvania – PHOTOS

American Vs. European Basketball: The major differences between European and American basketball

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European basketball has leaped in quality in recent years, approaching the American level in recent years. It means more competitiveness between the teams in international competitions (World Cup and Olympic Games). The American team has to bring their stars to win, which they used to do with lesser quality players.

Watching the NBA and FIBA, you might find contradictory or confusing situations, but it’s normal. There are differences even in the NBA odds and European basketball match odds. With that said, we will share with you the significant differences between American Basketball and European Basketball.

Significant Differences Between European and American Basketball

These are differences between the FIBA ​​and NBA basketball:

Game Time

In FIBA, ​​it’s four quarters of 10 minutes, while it’s four quarters of 12 minutes in the NBA.

Stopping Time After The Basket

In FIBA​​, time is stopped in the last 2 minutes of each quarter and any additional time. While in the NBA, it’s stopped in the last minute of the first three quarters, in the last 2 minutes of the last fourth, and an additional time.

3-point Line

In FIBA, ​​it is an arc located 6.25m from the basket, while in the NBA, it’s located at 7.24m that intersects with two lines parallel to the baseline located 6.7m in its nearest point direction.

Time-outs

In FIBA, ​​there are two time-outs in the first half of the game, 3 in the second half, and 1 for each extra time, but the technical director must request these. In the NBA, there are seven time-outs per game and a time of 1 minute, 15 seconds per half.

Time-outs are requested from the referee by a player on the court when his team controls the ball or when there is a stoppage in the match.

Elimination Due To Fouls

Players leave the game by accumulating five personal fouls or two technical fouls in FIBA. Technical fouls count against the total personal fouls.

While in the NBA, players get eliminated after accumulating six personal fouls or two technical fouls. Technical fouls are not considered personal fouls.

Technical Fouls

In FIBA, ​​there are two free throws and possession in the center of the field for the opposing team to the one that incurred the foul. There will be no possession if the foul occurs before the start of the game because every game must start with jump balls.

In the NBA, it is one free throw for each technical foul, and the game resumes from the same point where the interruption occurred. The individual who incurred the technique is penalized with an automatic fine.

Illegal Block

In FIBA, once the ball touches the rim, any defensive or offensive player can touch it and try to redirect it, as long as their hands do not go below the basket.

There is an imaginary cylinder in the NBA with the hoop as its base. While the ball is on that imaginary cylinder, no player can make contact with it.

Defensive Zone

In FIBA, ​​there is no such rule, whereas, in NBA, a defensive player cannot stay in the key area for more than three seconds if that player is not actively guarding an opponent. The penalty for this violation is a technical foul.

Free Throw Violation

In FIBA​​, players lined up on either side of the basket can enter once the shooter is off the ball. The shooter and the rest of the players must wait for the ball to hit the ring. Only a violation committed by the shooter can invalidate a basket made. Violations by other players are ignored if the shot goes in.

In the NBA, the violation can occur by the shooter’s teammate for entering the rebound early or leaving a set position before the shot. Once the ball is at the player’s disposal, the shooter can invalidate a free throw made.

Stepping

Although the rules are the same for FIBA ​​and the NBA, NBA officials are much more liberal. The NBA allows an additional step before the player puts the ball down to initiate a drive to the rim or end of a drive. FIBA referees are constantly looking at the feet of the offensive player and very rarely allow that extra step.

MKB Bank become the official bank and financial strategic partner of the sports club

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A cooperation between Ferencvárosi Torna Club (FTC) and MKB Bank was launched, which was announced at a joint press conference held on 23 May 2022 at the MVM Dome. According to the agreement, MKB Bank will become the official bank and financial strategic partner of the sports club, with the financial institution also creating favourable offers to the “Fradi family”, i.e. the staff, athletes and supporters of the club. In addition to banking services, MKB Bank also supports talented young athletes of the FTC.

The Ferencvárosi Torna Club and MKB Bank have signed a strategic cooperation agreement, according to which the financial institution will become the official bank and financial strategic partner of the FTC. The cooperation will cover the financing of all the departments of FTC and MKB Bank will also provide unique banking offers for the staff, athletes, and fans of the sport club. In addition, MKB Bank is launching a scholarship programme, which will provide financial support to young athletes competing in Ferencváros colours.

“The most prestigious sport association and the most prestigious bank in Hungary are signing a strategic partnership today, and we are pleased to announce that this cooperation is not only about financial support, but also about the future and talented young Hungarian athletes. We hope that this partnership will be beneficial for both parties, but it is also important for me what me and my colleagues can learn from Fradi: that is, how to attract and develop talent and how to become a champion at home and be successful on the international stage”,

said Dr. Zsolt Barna, Chairman and CEO of MKB Bank and Hungarian Bankholding at the press conference.

“The intention of Ferencvárosi Torna Club is, in addition to educating young people and talents, to reach the highest possible level in all areas of sport, both nationally and internationally. To achieve success, it is essential to have a stable financial background, which is provided by our partners. Our goals remain unchanged: starting every series with the intention of winning it for both teams and athletes competing for Ferencvárosi Torna Club. It is a special pleasure for us to have a sponsor who, in addition to encouraging and supporting the club’s young champions, also thinks of the staff and fans of Fradi,”

summarised Gábor Kubatov, President of FTC on the cooperation.

Among the talents supported by MKB is 18-year-old swimmer Viktória Mihályvári-Farkas, who finished 6th in the 400 medleys at her first adult Olympics in Tokyo and is currently preparing to win her first World Championship medal in front of a home crowd at the 2022 World Swimming Championships in Hungary. The 20-year-old gymnast Krisztián Balázs has been training with Ferencváros since the age of five, and this year he achieved his best result ever at the World Challenge Cup in Várna, and despite his young age, he has a chance of making his debut at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

A great domestic hope in wrestling, 23-year-old István Váncza – silver medallist at this year’s European Championships in Budapest – is preparing for his next competitions in the 67 kg category. Also receiving support from MKB Bank is 19-year-old Gergő Szemes, who proved at this year’s World Cup in Plovdiv that he can also hold his own in the adult category, winning a bronze medal in the individual event. Like his club mates, he could be among the best in the world in the future.

Budapest hosts women’s handball Champions League last four for the 8th time

Győr champion hungary 2022

This is the 8th time that Budapest will host the final 4 of the women’s handball Champions League. It’s only been a few months since the European Men’s Championships, and much to the delight of the fans, the best women’s club teams and players in Europe can compete in Budapest’s new handball arena.

There was plenty of drama in this year’s DELO EHF Champions League matches so far. Although the Danish Esbjerg took the lead in Group A with a confident performance, the other teams fought hard for the quarter-final places to reach the top two places in the group. Sadly FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria lost their away play-off game against Krim Mercator Ljubljana and a subsequent home win was not enough, so their Slovenian counterpart went through on aggregate.

The five-time champions vs the debutants: Györi Audi ETO KC against Team Esbjerg will be the first match of the EHF FINAL4 Women 2022 on 4/5 June, followed by the second semi-final between Metz Handball and Vipers Kristiansand.

The EHF FINAL4 Women 2022 draw in Budapest pitted Győr against Esbjerg and Metz against Vipers for the semi-finals on Saturday 4 June.

One question, however, remained open: in which order will these two matches be played?

The answer has followed less than 24 hours later, as Győr and Esbjerg are set to go first at 15:15 CEST, before Metz and Vipers take the court in the MVM Dome for the latter match at 18:00 CEST.

The throw-off times for the 3/4 placement match and the final on Sunday 5 June are identical.

EHF FINAL4 Women 2022 playing schedule

Saturday 4 June:

  • 15:15 CEST – semi-final 1: Győri Audi ETO KC vs Team Esbjerg
  • 18:00 CEST – semi-final 2: Metz Handball vs Vipers Kristiansand

Sunday 5 June:

  • 15:15 CEST – 3/4 placement match: losers semi-final 1 vs losers semi-final 2
  • 18:00 CEST – final: winners semi-final 1 vs winners semi-final 2

Tickets are valid for all four matches of the FINAL4!

Fucsovics can build on Paris progress

fucsovics

Márton Fucsovics has had some joy at the French Open in recent years and the Hungarian star will be hoping to build on that for this year’s tournament.

The 30-year-old has pulled off some scalps in the past at Roland Garros and has the game on clay that can cause some of the competition’s title contenders problems.

A Great Run In 2020

Fucsovics’ best run at the French Open came back in 2020 as he managed to reach the fourth round of the Grand Slam event in Paris. Current world number two Daniil Medvedev, who is 41.0 in the betting online on tennis to win this year’s French Open, suffered a shock 6-4, 7-6, 2-6, 6-1 defeat to Fucsovics in the first round of the event. While Medvedev would admit his preferred surface would be away from clay, having only ever reached the quarter-finals, the Russian is still a formidable opponent. That victory clearly gave Fucsovics a boost in confidence and he went on to beat Spain’s Albert Ramos in the second round, before seeing off Brazil’s Thiago Monteiro in the third.

It looked like Fucsovics was on his way to the latter stages of the tournament at Roland Garros but he was to eventually crash out in the fourth round. That Grand Slam run was certainly one that put Fucsovics’ name on the map and should stand him in good stead for major competitions to come.

Simon Scalp in 2021

Much like the previous year, Fucsovics got himself off to a flying start in Paris with yet another scalp. This time it was one of the home favourites Gilles Simon who was undone by the tall Hungarian’s powerful play. Fucsovics made a strong start to take the first set 6-4 and never looked back, as he won the following two sets 6-1 and 7-6. However, Fucsovics was not to enjoy the same kind of run he had 12 months previous in the French capital, as he suffered a straight-sets defeat at the hands of Italy’s Fabio Fognini in the second round.

While preparations for the 2022 instalment of the French Open have not been ideal for Fucsovics, he can take plenty from his previous performances at Roland Garros. Fucsovics was forced to retire from his match against Dusan Lajovic at the ATP Masters 1000 Rome after previously beating the American Denis Kudla at the start of May. It was not ideal preparation for Roland Garros but Fucsovics will be looking forward to getting back the French Open and trying to cause a few more upsets against some of the tournament’s seeded stars.

Having previously been as high as 31 in the world rankings, Fucsovics has dropped down to 55th place heading into the French Open. Hungary’s leading men’s player has proven he can mix it with some big names in the sport in the past and will be hoping to spring a few more surprises this time around.

 

Hungary hosts FINA World Cup 2022 – Programme guide

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This summer, the best swimmers in the world will come to Hungary. Between 18 June and 3 July 2022, Hungary will host the FINA World Cup. The venues include Budapest, Debrecen, Sopron and Szeged. Check out the detailed programme below!

FINA World Cup 2022 Programmes

This year, the participants of the FINA World Cup will compete in five sports. During the first week (18-25 June), the audience can see various competitions between the world’s best swimmers. Additionally, there will be artificial swimming numbers and group matches for water polo players. During the second week (26 June – 3 July), the audience can enjoy the diving and open-water swimming competitions, along with the straight knockout phase of the polo tournament. The preliminary rounds will start at 9 am every day, while the semi-finals and finals can be watched at 6 pm.

Hungarian venues

This year, the FINA World Cup will take place in four Hungarian cities, including Budapest, Debrecen, Sopron and Szeged.

In regard to the venues in the capital city, the swimming tournaments will take place in the Danube Arena, diving competitions in the Széchy Swimming Pool on Margaret Island, and water polo matches can be followed at the Alfréd Hajós National Swimming Stadium. Following that, the competition will continue in Debrecen, as well as in two brand new sports complexes built within the framework of the Modern Cities Program in Sopron and Szeged. In addition, the open-water swimmers are scheduled to compete at Lake Lupa, which made an excellent debut venue at last year’s European Championships – reported Programturizmus.

FINA stars

As the Hungarian news portal, M4 Sport reports,

watersport fans will have something exciting to look forward to during each day of the FINA World Cup

In addition to the men’s 400 individual medley, you can also watch the 4 × 100 men’s freestyle on the opening day of the FINA World Cup 2022. The Hungarian 4 × 100 men’s freestyle team had great success a few years ago. The European champion Szebasztián Szabó will have the chance to shine in the men’s 50 butterfly on the second day, followed by the women’s 200 medley final and the men’s 200 butterfly final. Latter is one of the most anticipated events, in which Kristóf Milák swam a cosmic world record at the last World Championships. On Tuesday 21 June, you can watch the women’s 200 butterfly, in which Boglárka Kapás is the defending champion. On Friday 24 June, Olympic silver medallist Milák will attempt another siege against his US rival Caeleb Dressel, who was the most successful swimmer at the 2017 World Championships in Budapest, earning seven gold medals.

Read also: Hungary’s Milák wins uncontestable gold in Tokyo 2020 – Video

Important information

As the official webpage of FINA Budapest reports, the domestic team was committed to deliver the 2022 World Championships in record time, just within 4 months. As a result, the audience capacity will be reduced compared to the 2017 World Championships. In practice, this means that there will be a limited number of spectators on site. On the other hand, tens of thousands of tickets will be sold in several stages for one of the most popular and highest-profile events, the 8-day preliminaries and finals of the swimming competitions, as well as for the water polo matches. Therefore, you should not wait long to buy your tickets, which will be available from mid-May.

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