European Championship

Men’s handball – HUNGARY FIRST CONFIRMED FOR POLAND 2016

A tight match in Veszprem ended in a victory for the hosts, booking Hungary the first tickets to Poland up for grabs on this EHF EURO 2016 Qualification weekend, eurohandball.com reports.

Group 5: Hungary vs. Russia 29:25 (15:11)

The eurohandball.com said, the match began with a furiously-paced first five minutes dominated by counter attacks and enough technical faults from the hosts to allow Russia to create a narrow lead. But once Hungary settled in, it was a different game. Led by three early goals and superb long passes from Laszlo Nagy, the Hungarians inched ahead with structured set play and fast break goals. Russia were finding the goal posts rather than the back of the net far more often than new coach Dmitrii Torgovanov, in his second match as head of the national team, would have liked. Four consecutive unanswered goals allowed Hungary to take the lead, leaving Russia to play catch-up for the remainder of the half. With five minutes left in the first period Hungary led by four goals (13:9); the same advantage they would take into the break.

According to eurohandball.com, the second half began with Hungary picking up exactly where they left off. Roland Mikler came into goal in the place of keeper for the first half, Marton Szekely. Mikler was immediately on form, spectacularly saving a fast break goal early on. Russia’s shots were no longer hitting the posts, but Mikler was now their biggest problem. Midway through the half Hungary maintained their lead (23:18), though the game was now a more evenly-matched contest and was by no means over. Just like in their round three match on Thursday, Hungary suffered a lapse around the 50-minute mark and endured a few nervous minutes because of it. In the 53rd minute, Russia came within one goal (25:24). But a red card for Lev Tselishchev after three two-minute suspensions and a run of Hungarian goals enabled the hosts to reclaim a more convincing lead. When Richard Bodo scored his sixth goal from six shots with just over three minutes remaining (28:24), the game was decided.

More handball news HERE.

May 2, 2015

European Basketball Championship begins in Hungary in 50 days

The Hungarian national team will play team matches in full house on the Women’s European Basketball Championships beginning on June 11, which will be organized by Hungary and Romania.

Ivan Bodrogvary, leader of the organizing committee of the European Championship said at his press conference on Thursday: tickets are bough well, the Swedes have already ordered 500, the Slovaks hundreds of them, so the 2500-people Sopron hall will be full.

Tamas Gall, one of the assistant coaches of the Hungarian national team said the team would begin the joint preparations for the EC in Miskolc on May 4, Stefan Svitek national coach would join this time. As has been said, the national team is expected to reach the semi-final, the top 12. To do this, the team must be in the top three of the group.

According to the trainer, the Hungarian team wanted to fight with the Lithuanians and the Swedes for the second place and if they would advance, more matches win at the semi-final in Gyor. Stefan Svitek appointed 17 people, whose member is Zsofia Fegyverneky who has a six-week-old baby and started to train after birth. Tamas Gall added the team was very unified and everyone tried to subordinate everything for the coming-out well. Even naturalized Americans transferred their studies to be there in the training camps.

As for preparation, Stefan Svitek’s team, after the joint exercises in Miskolc and Sopron, will play two matches with Italy on May 15 and 16, than they will participate in a four-tournament between May 29-31 in Podgorica, where they will play with, besides the host Montenegrins, Bosnia and Croatia. And then, the team will have a match in Istanbul, Turkey on June 5 and 6.

Anna Vajda, national team player said she thought it is a huge thing to participate in a national-hosted EC. “I hope the team will also prove that it was worth working together and could express our gratitude in deeds.” She mentioned that the presence of Timea Beres Ivkovics, who will be team leader of the EC, could help them a lot, and she could popularize basketball as the ambassador of FIBA in Hungary.

Ferenc Szalay, president of the National Association of Hungarian Basketball Players said there was a very intelligent, cohesive community in the national team, in which each player received the same treatment and incentive. He told the association had to only pay the cost of travel and stay in the case of Alexandria Quigley, but they didn’t have to pay for her club.

The continent tournament starts in Sopron, Szombathely, Nagyvarad/Oradea and Temesvar/Timisoara on June 11. To achieve the semi-final, the Hungarians have to be among the top 3 in the group. The opponents are the Lithuanians, the Slovaks, the Swedes and the defending champion Spanish in Group D. The matches will be in Sopron.

Semi-finals will be organized in Gyor and Debrecen, the qualification matches will be in Syma hall, Budapest.

based on the article of MTI
translated by BA

Photos: MTI

April 24, 2015

Dardai Remains the Captain

Budapest (MTI) – Pal Dardai remains the captain of the Hungarian National Football Team until 30 November 2015, the end of the European Championship qualifying series.

Sandor Berzi, vice president of the MLSZ announced in an extraordinary press conference in Budapest that the agreement was born with the Berlin club of the 38 year-old professional, Hertha BSC.

„The position of Dárdai remains at Hertha, which was fair and open throughout the negotiations” – saidthe sports manager, who revealed that the Bueau of the MLSZ approved the appointment of Dardai unanimously at the Tuesday meeting. The expectations concerned, he said that the national team should compete for the participation in the European Championship and obtain at least the 3rd place, which is worth an extra qualification round.

Answering a journalist question whether the contract of Dardai will be automatically extended, if the national team qualify for the European Championship, Sándor Berzi said that it would be another round of negotiations with Berlin.

He said about the agreement that it provides the opportunity for the national team led by Dárdai to play a friendly match , but it is not likely before the next European Championship qualifier against the Greeks in March, but it is more imaginable before the match against Finland in June. He added that Dárdai, who worked for free previously, will work for the money determined in the contract for the MLSZ in the future.

Regarding to the background of the news, Sandor Berzi said that Dardai did an excellent job, thanks to which the national team is in competition in the European Championship qualifying group, so there was a clear need for continuing the work with him, but they had to agree with Hertha as well. Therefore, they had to prepare for other possibilities, two foreign candidates “went through the sieve,” but he did not want to reveal their names.

After Attila Pinter, who was dismissed because of the defeat suffered from the Northern Irish, Hertha, where Dardai works as a recruitment coordinator, originally allowed the temporarily appointed Pál Dárdai for three European Championship and one friendly match. The team scored 7 points in the three ranked matches, after the 1-1 against the Romanians, beat the Faroese and the Finns 1-0.

translated by BA

Photo: MTI – Szilard Koszticsak, Tibor Illyes

December 10, 2014

Hungarian swimmers: one gold, and two bronze medals at the closing day of the EU championship

Hungarian swimmers won three medals at the closing day of the European Swimming Championships in Berlin finishing sixth overall on the medal table. On Sunday, Dávid Verrasztó won gold medal in men’s 400 m medley, which was Hungary’s eightieth European championship gold medal in the history of the sport. Katinka Hosszú won bronze in women’s 200 m butterfly and the men’s team also won bronze in 4X100 m freestyle relay.

Head-coach László Kiss praised the team’s performance in Berlin: “I regret that the Youth Olympics in Nanjing coincided with the European championship, because Liliána Szilagyi’s results in Nanjing would have been translated to medals in Berlin too.” “Katinka Hosszú was phenomenal by winning three gold one silver and one bronze medals” said the head-coach.

“It was the right decision to let her compete in 17 events at the Hungarian national championship as the experience gave her the opportunity to model her Berlin strategy. Hats off to her coach Shane Tusup for improving Katinka’s breast and backstroke style immensely,” said Kiss.

Boglárka Kapás can’t complain either by winning one silver and two bronze medals in yesterday’s events.

But there is no rest for the athletes. On Monday, Katinka Hosszú, Dániel Gyurta, Evelyn Verrasztó, Dávid Verrasztó and Gergő Kis fly to Doha to compete at the World Cup series starting August 27.

based on article of mno.hu
translated by Hungarian Ambiance

Photo: MTI – Aniko Kovacs

August 25, 2014

Rising Stars above Kecskemét: FAI European Aerobatic Championship – VIDEO

Kecskemét is the host city of a world class aerobatic championship from 23 until 30 August, 2014. The event closes with a big air show on 30 August. Do come and follow the stars!

The 19th FAI European Aerobatic Championship takes place at Matkó Airport near Kecskemét from 23 until 30 August.

According to the official bulletin, competition flights are held on 23 August (10.00 – 13.00 and 14.00 – 16.30), and from 24 until 29 August (9.00 – 13.00 and 14.00 – 19.30).

The organisers present a big air show on 30 August (09.00 – 17.00), and all this is free of charge. You can watch a freestyle air show, a helicopter show, an old-timer air show or a Glider Aerobatics show. Visitors can also attend open air concerts and dance shows; children can play in the amusement park or in the jumping castle. The event closes with the award ceremony of the European Aerobatic Championship.

KEOL says that this competition is often referred to as the “Formula One of Aerobatics”. So far 52 pilots have applied for the championship from 14 countries. Pilots arrive also from Japan, Brazil and Australia. Three Hungarian pilots (Tamás ÁBRÁNYI, Tamás ILLÉS and Zoltán VERES) will represent Hungary.

written by Magdolna Magonyi

August 23, 2014

Krisztián Pars takes European hammer throw title

Hungary’s Krisztián Pars established a new World lead of 82.69m on his way to the European hammer throw title in Zurich on Saturday, european-athletics.org reports.

The european-athletics.org said, at the end of the month it will be 28 years broke the hammer world record with his 86.74m at the European Athletics Championships in Germany (Stuttgart).

Until just around 4.30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon at the Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich that is, when Hungarian Krisztian Pars gave one final twist in the hammer ring and launched his way to a world leading throw and a successful defence of his crown.

According to european-athletics.org, even with desire for individual success, two of his main rivals, Poland’s Pawel Fajdek and Szymon Ziolkowski, showed the spirit among this collection of muscle as they stood clapping at the success of the Hungarian back on top of the podium after his last effort.

It was quite a performance from the shaven-headed Pars, who took the lead with 82.18m in the third round – Fajdek had led with 78.48m – before sealing victory with 82.69m, a throw that was 20 centimetres further than the world best he had set in Szekesfehervar last month. And, equally, he beat the last world champion Fadjdek.

The european-athletics.org said, this time those positions were reversed with the Pole’s 82.05m from round five, a throw that was heading towards the lead as it flew through this bright afternoon sunshine, but did not go far enough, winning silver and Russian Sergey Litvinov securing bronze with 79.35m, also from round five.

Read more HERE.

Photo: MTI – Tibor Illyés

August 18, 2014

European Water Polo Championships in Budapest – Team Hungary won silver medal

The Hungarian men’s waterpolo team couldn’t win the European championships title again after 1958, in front of home crowd. Serbia wins men’s European water polo champion’s title.

Hungary-Serbia 7-12 (1-3, 1-4, 4-2, 1-3)
Goals: Vamos 3, Szivos, Denes Varga, Daniel Varga, Erdelyi 1-1 (Hungary); Gocic 3, Filipovic, Mandic 2-2, Cuk, Pijetlovic, Aleksic, Randjen, Prlaionovic 1-1 (Serbia)

The official website said, Hungary had problems with man-up situations, meanwhile on the other side Serbia did a great job, as well as with the defence. Chisen the best goalkeeper of the tournament, Gojko Pietlovic had a great day by saving 12 out of 19 shots, which is a rate of 63,2%.

Team Hungary won the 3rd quarter by 2 goals so a beam of hope showed up for home team to get back to the game with a huge fight in the last period, but there was no mercy, Serbian players didn’t let it., and used every second of the attacking time to create chances, which was a big mental pressure for Hungary.

In the last quarter Serbia came up with 3 goals in a row, which didn’t let any chance for the opponents to get closer.

MTI Photo: Lajos Soos

Team Hungary won silver medal at the European Championships in Budapest. Tibor Benedek led his side to the final in all of his major international tournaments so far a sa coach: 2013 and 2014 World League, 2013 World Chamiponships and 2014 European Championships. After two silvers and a gold, it’s now again a silver to make the medal collection richer.

Read more HERE.

Photo: MTI – Tamas Kovacs

July 28, 2014

European Water Polo Championships in Budapest – Hungarian girls take the bronze

The Hungarian women’s team won the bronze medal in the European Water Polo Championship. It was a great fight against the Italians, but in the end the Hungarian girls won the delight of the home crowd.

Realted article:
European Water Polo Championships in Budapest – Hungary can play for gold medal
Water Polo Championships Finals On Downtown Giant Screens

Hungary-Italy 10-9 (2-3, 5-2, 0-2, 3-2)
Goals: Antal 3, Bujka, Keszthelyi 2-2, Illes, Kisteleki, Szűcs 1-1 (Hungary); Bianconi 3, Di Mario, Garibotti 2-2, Cotti, Emmolo 1-1 (Italy)

Saturday afternoon home team Hungary played against Italy in the bronze medal game. Andras Meresz head coach started the game with Gangl in front of the net instead of Bolonyai. Italy started better, but ad a result of the great form Hungary showed in the second quarter, Hungary had a 2-goals advantage in the break.

Italy tied in the 3rd period, but Hungary could step away with two hits at 9-7. The game had a really exciting finish, but Hungary, playing concentrated, won with a 10-9 final result. Dora Antal became the best scorer of her team with 3 goals, Edina Gangl saved 11 shots out of 20.

Ladies’ national team of Hungary played the 5th bronze medal game in a row, and following the 2012 European Championships in Eindhoven and the 2013 World Championships in Barcelona, left the pool after a victory for the 3rd time.

Read ore HERE.

Photo: MTI – Tamas Kovacs

July 27, 2014

European Water Polo Championships in Budapest – Hungary can play for gold medal

Men’s semi-finals are held on Friday, Hungary and Serbia will play for the gold on Sunday.

Hungary-Italy 8-7 (3-1, 2-3, 1-1, 2-2)
Goals: Hosnyanszky 3, Varga Denes 2, Madaras, Szivos, Varga Daniel 1-1 (Hungary); Gallo 2, Di Fulvio, Figlioli, Giorgetti, Luongo, Aicardi 1-1 (Italy)

The offical website of European Water Polo Championship said, with beating Italy in the semi-final by one goal, Hungarian national team can play for European Championships title after eight years. The trial was very tight all game long, Italian players also tried to rely on their acting abilities, but the home team could stay calm, didn’t let themselves being provocated. They played patiently, and shoot only when it was a clear chance to score.

According to ecwaterpolo2014.com, of course, there were one or two exceptions, but these personal achievements made the difference between the two teams and let Hungary to win. Norbert Hosnyanszky scored 3 goals, and in the end Denes Varga had a free shot in the greatest need. In 2001 it was against Italy that Hungary lost the semi-final, but it turned out differently this time.

The home team can win the gold on Sunday again, for the first time since 1999.

Results in men’s water polo matches played in the European Championships on Friday:

Semifinals:

Hungary – Italy 8:7 (3:1, 2:3, 1:1, 2:2)

Serbia – Montenegro 10:9 (3:5, 1:2, 3:2, 3:0)

For the 7-10th places:

Spain – Germany 16:8 (5:3, 4:1, 3:2, 4:2)

Romania – France 15:8 (3:3, 3:1, 6:1, 3:3)

For the 11th place:

Russia – Georgia 9:8 (2:2, 2:2, 2:1, 3:3)

Photo: MTI – Tamas Kovacs

July 26, 2014

European Water Polo Championships in Budapest – Hungary defeats Croatia

There was no doubt from the very first second that Team Hungary wanted to win the Monday night game against Croatia – even despite of finising in the first place of Group B anyway, Offical site of European Championship reports.

Hungary-Croatia 7-6 (0-2, 4-2, 1-0, 2-1)

Golas: Madaras, Erdelyi, Hosnyanszky, Szivos, Varga Denes, Toth, Harai 1-1 (Hungary); Sukno 2, Setka, Jokovic, Milakovic, Muslim 1-1 (Croatia)

Tibor Benedek Head Coach highlighted after the game, the greatest motivation was that they could avoid meeting Serbia in the semi-final by beating Croatia.

The Hungarian team started the game with a disatvantage of 3 goals, as they couldn’t make use of the extra player chances. But as we could get used to it in the previous games, the reigning world champions didn’t collapse, just improved patiently. This patience payed off, and they got into the game soon.

Read more HERE.

Photo: MTI – Tamas Kovacs

July 22, 2014

Budapest To Host European Table Tennis Championships In 2016

Budapest, July 20 (MTI) – Budapest will host the European Table Tennis Championships in 2016, the Hungarian Table Tennis Federation told MTI.

The related decision was announced by the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) in Riva del Garda, Italy, on Sunday.

There were three bidders for the forthcoming two European championships: Budapest, Yekaterinburg and Almeria.

ETTU preferred the first two bids and granted next year’s event to the Russian city, and the 2016 Europeans to the Hungarian capital.

The programme will feature men’s and women’s singles, as well as men’s, women’s and mixed doubles, without any team competition.

Photo: https://asztaliteniszezz.hu/

July 21, 2014

European Water Polo Championships in Budapest – Hungary defeats Germany

In the men’s water polo European Championship group stage fourth round: the Hungarian national team beat Germany in an excellent game, and 16-8 to win. Denes Varga, Viktor Nagy and Balazs Harai is played irresistibly, ecwaterpolo2014.com reports.

Hungary-Germany 16-8

Goals: Denes Varga 5, Vamos, Hosnyanszky, Harai 2-2, Madaras, Erdelyi, Decker, Szivos, Daniel Varga 1-1 (Hungary); Real, Nossek, Stamm 2-2, Oeler, Schlotterbeck 1-1 (Germany)

Offical site of European Championship said, team Hungary is now going to finish on the top of the table in Group B as they secured the first place with Saturday’s 8-goals victory over Germany. In the beginning Germany showed a great play during hungarian exclusions, they scored 5 out of their 5 extra player shots.

The home team had storng attacks, but their defence didn’t work out and not even the goalkeeper could concenrate well enough until the end of the first half. The last two quarters showed a totally different image, Hungarian defenders were shaken u pin the break just like goalkeeper Viktor Nagy, and as a result Hungary got only one single goal from Germany in the third and fourth period. Germany was unable to keep up with Hungary which led to a clean success of the home side, winning Group B.

According to ecwaterpolo2014, the best scorer of the game was Denes Varga who got the LEN-award for the best European player before the match.

Photo: MTI – Tamas Kovacs

July 20, 2014

Take Public Transport To The Venue Of The Budapest Water Polo EC

Between 14-27 July Budapest hosts the Water Polo European Championship. The competitions will take place at the Alfréd Hajós – Tamás Széchy Swimming Complex on Margitsziget.

To reach the venue, please take bus lines 26 or 226 from Nyugati pályaudvar M. During the event BKK will increase the frequency and the capacity of bus services on these lines, with routes going through Margitsziget.

Between 14-27 July, boat line D12 will have an extra stop by serving the Margitsziget, Centenáriumi emlékmű–pier not far from the EC Swimming Complex. Boat line D13 also stops here on the weekends.

Another transport option is to take trams 4 or 6 to reach the stop Margitsziget/Margit híd at the northern entrance to the island.

Enjoy your ride on BKK’s services and have a great time with your favourite team during the Budapest Water Polo European Championship.

Photo: MTI – Tamas Kovacs

July 14, 2014

BOX – Zsolt Erdei wins WBO European Champion match, announces retirement

Budapest, March 9 (MTI) – The Hungarian boxer Zsolt Erdei beat the Georgian Shalva Jomardashvili in a match for the WBO European Champion title in Kecskemet, central Hungary, on Saturday.

The 39-year-old Erdei announced his retirement from competition after the match. He will continue in the sport as a coach.

Erdei is the former undefeated Lineal and WBO light-heavyweight champion, WBC cruiserweight champion and the first Hungarian to win a world title in two weight divisions. Erdei boxed at the 2000 Summer Olympics, where he won a bronze medal in the middleweight division. He won 33 of his 34 professional fights. His only defeat was last year at the hands of Russian Denis Grachev in a controversial split decision.

Photo: MTI

March 9, 2014

Euro 2016 draw raises chance of qualification for Hungary

Hungarian national eleven will face Greece, Romania, Finland, Northern Ireland and Faroe Islands in the qualification for the 2016 European Championship. The opponents are not the strongest ones and the new system of the tournament enables more teams to be qualified for the games.

The draw ceremony was held in Nice, France on 23rd of February. The teams were divided into pots, as usual, placing the best teams into the first pot and so on.

Thanks to some relatively good results in the previous years, Hungary was placed into the second pot, which meant that it will avoid some of the more challenging opponents, such as Ukraine, Sweden or Belgium.

The new system of the European Championship will also boost Hungary’s chance of qualification: in 2016, 24 teams will prove themselves against each other instead of the previous 16. This way both the group winners and the runner ups will instantly qualify themselves, as well as the best third placed. The eight best third-placed will have to play additional two legged matches in the play-off in order to qualify themselves.

Greece

The first opponent of Hungary will be Greece, which is one of the weakest teams from the first pot according to FIFA ratings. Beside their surprise win at Euro 2004 in Portugal, Greece did not showed much in the following tournaments. They did not qualify for the 2006 World Cup, left Euro 2008 without any wins, then finished third in the group at the 2010 World Cup. At Euro 2012, they advanced from their group but Germany defeated them in the quarter finals. Greece will be at the Brazilian World Cup by having defeated Romania in the play-off.

10 Greek players play in the top European leagues (England, Spain, Germany, France, Italy), 12 in good leagues (Belgium, Netherlands, Greek and so on).

Romania

The neighbor country and arch-rival Romania interestingly came from the third pot, despite their better position and win against Hungary in the 2014 World Cup qualifications. Matches against Romania are always passionate, but hopefully there will be no scandals. The last time Romania was present on a continental tournament was in 2008, where they finished third in the group stage behind Italy and the Netherlands, however, ahead of France. The national team has 10 players from top leagues, and a few other from good leagues.

Finland

The third opponent, Finland is also familiar from previous qualifications. Hungary’s win against Finland in 2011 was a great success. Although Finland have never qualified for any big tournament, it is a team to be aware of. Although there are only one player from the top leagues, they have 10 players from good lower leagues. Finland is usually tough and hard to defeat.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland came from the fifth pot, which suggests that they are almost the weakest side in the group. However, there are 6 top league player (Jonny Evans plays for Manchester United, for example) and 17 players from other good leagues. The last time Northern Ireland was qualified to a big tournament was in the 1986 World Cup, just like Hungary.

Faroe Islands

Without argument, the easiest opponent is Faroe Islands’ national eleven. They have never been qualified to any major tournaments and usually are the last team in their group. However, Faroe Islands managed many time to achieve surprise results like a win over Estonia or a draw against Northern Ireland.

Hungary

Finally let’s take a look at Hungary’s national team. The last tournament which they qualified was the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Since then, there was no success. In the last qualification stage, the hope was alive for quite a long time, but the catastrophic 3-0 away defeat against Romania took the team’s fate out of its hand. Eventually Romania finished as runner up, and although the third place was the best result for Hungary in decades, a real success. Nevertheless, coach Sándor Egervári had to go, and was replaced By Attila Pintér.

With a new coach in a slightly weak group and with higher number of teams at Euro 2016, Hungary has a chance to finally be at a continental tournament. Even though the improved odds odds are not the result of a sudden change in Hungarian national team’s attitude and strength, it is a chance which should the national eleven grasp.

Written by Oliver Tamasi

Photo: www.sport.pl

February 26, 2014

New Football Coach Rallies The Nation Behind The Hungarian Eleven

New national team coach Attila Pintér insists he has wiped the slate clean after Hungary’s disappointing FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign as he looks to guide his charges to UEFA EURO 2016, UEFA reports.

UEFA said, the 47-year-old manager hopes the country will get behind him, with the Magyars targeting their first UEFA European Championship finals since 1972. “I think we have Hungarian footballers who can help us achieve our dreams,” he said.

“Everyone starts with a clean slate with me because Hungarian football needs every player behind us.”

“I will not be successful alone,” he said. “Everyone has to play a part in making this team a success, and the press, the clubs – everyone – has to think positively, because this is the only way we can be successful.”

According to uefa.com, club coaches have been asked to recommend up-and-coming talents for international call-ups, and Pintér said: “I think several uncapped players can be expected to feature in the first squad.” Hungary will stage an international get-together in Turkey in early February to give potential players another chance to train together with the new coach, having already assembled players for some training sessions earlier this month.

Read more HERE.

Photo: MTI, www.rangado.hu

January 31, 2014

2014 Men’s European Championship: Hungary book main round ticket

The last of three spots of Group B in Aalborg was confirmed only with the final buzzer of the last match of the preliminary round.

“I have to congratulate my team for their fighting spirit and for controlling this highly exciting match most of the time. I don’t want to emphasise any of my players, as it was only the team performance today,” Hungary’s coach Lajos Mocsai said.

First we stood strong in defence, but after the break we could not start our counter-attacks. We arrived in Denmark with many problems, so reaching the main round in this tough group is a great success for Hungarian handball,” he added.

As Spain and Iceland had already been confirmed, Hungary will be part of the next stage, while the Norwegian need to book their return flight despite their first point in Aalborg.

“It was a great match with really good handball. Initially we had problems in defending, but in the second half our defence worked well, we played with a lot of counter-attacks and stopped the Hungarian fast-breaks. Unfortunately we did not win,” Norwegian coach Robert Hedin said.

Thanks to the 26:26 (16:13) draw in a highly thrilling match, the Hungarians finished third ranked below Spain (6:0) and Iceland (3:3) with 2 points – and made it to the main round without winning a group match after the defeat against Spain and the tie with Iceland before, while Norway would have needed a victory to pass the Hungarians.

Like Iceland, Hungary will take one point to the main round start. While the Hungarians will face FYR Macedonia in their main round opener on Saturday, Iceland will compete with Austria.

Top match of the first main round day in Herning will be the duel of the group winners Denmark vs. Spain – the rematch of the 2013 world championship final, clearly won by the Iberians 35:19.

written by Björn Pazen / br

Read more HERE.

Photo: MTI – Tamás Kovács

January 17, 2014

European Figure Skating Championships 2014 in Budapest: Plushenko miss the contest

Figure Skating Federation of Russia (FFKKR) has appointed members of the national team for the European Figure Skating Championships, due to be held in Budapest from January 13 through to January 19, 2014. Yevgeny Plushenko is not listed among sportsmen who are delegated to Budapest, Voice of Russia reports.

Russian news portal said, renowned figure skater of the 2000’s Yevgeny Plushenko was not appointed by the Executive Board of the Federation although the Council of Coaches had issued a recommendation earlier to include him in the team.

According to Voice of Russia, the three athletes to compete on behalf of Russia in men’s singles in Budapest are Maxim Kovtun, Sergei Voronov and Konstantin Menshov.

Voice of Russia underlined, Plushenko, 31, who took silver in the Russian national championship in Sochi last week ceding gold to Maxim Kovtun, 18, told reporters after the competitions he had decided to miss the European contest and to spend the one-and-a-half months left before the opening of the Olympic Games doing intense drill on the ice.

December 28, 2013