football

Hungary men’s football coach Marco Rossi names 26-Man Squad for Euro 2024

With the 2024 European Championship set to kick off in mid-June, the Hungarian national team under coach Marco Rossi has named its squad for the tournament. The Magyarok will start their Euros campaign with a Group A showdown against Switzerland on June 15.

Marco Rossi’s team qualified for the 2024 UEFA Euro after a hard-fought draw against Bulgaria in matchday nine of the qualifiers secured their place. This now marks Hungary’s fifth Euros appearance, after initially going 44 years without qualifying for the tournament until 2016.

The national team has a rich history in the competition, predating the 1980s. In 1964, led by the legendary Ferenc Puskás, Hungary finished third at the European Championship. An unfortunate third place match loss would see the team finish the 1972 Euros in fourth place. Since then, the team has struggled to make a mark in the tournament.

Notwithstanding, the Nemzeti Tizenegy will be looking to remedy an early group stage exit from EURO 2020 at Germany come June 15. Here is a list of Marco Rossi’s men ahead of the competition.

Goalkeepers

In between the sticks, Rossi has named RB Leipzig’s number one Péter Gulácsi as his first-choice goalkeeper. Gulácsi, who finished 4th with Leipzig in the Bundesliga ended the season with an injury, but he’s expected to fully recover in time for the first match of the Euros.

However, if the 33-year-old is unfit, Ferencváros’ Dénes Dibusz will be the coach’s top choice replacement. Peter Szappanos from Paks has also made the team traveling to Germany.

Defenders

Rossi has named seven defenders for the competition, with his vice-captain Attila Szalai leading the defence. Willi Orbán (RB Leipzig), Endre Botka (Ferencvaros), Botond Balogh (Parma), and Márton Dárdai (Hertha BSC) will also be looking to be a part of the coach’s favored three-man backline.

Attila Fiola and Ádám Lang who were out injured towards the end of the season are also listed in the squad in the hopes of recovery.

Midfielders

Hungary’s midfield is quite stacked and will heavily feature Liverpool ace Dominik Szoboszlai who doubles as the national team’s captain. Union Berlin midfielder András Schäfer and Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez are also a part of the squad. Completing the 10-man midfield is Loïc Négo, Ádám Nagy, Bendegúz Bolla, László Kleinheisler, Callum Styles, Zsolt Nagy and Mihali Kata.

Strikers

Only one of Hungary’s named strikers plays in a top-five European league, and that’s none other than Freiburg’s Rolland Sallai. The 27-year-old has scored 11 goals in less than 50 appearances for Hungary. He is joined by youngster Zalan Vansca as well as Martin Ádám, Barnabás Varga and Krisztofer Horváth in front of goal. Kevin Csoboth and US-based Daniel Gazdag also made the squad list.

Matches

Hungary is in Group A alongside hosts and tournament favorites Germany. They also face Switzerland and Scotland in the same group. With Trikolór’s first game against the Swiss national team set to be played in Cologne, Hungary will go on to face Germany and Scotland in quick succession.

The games against Germany and Scotland will be played in Stuttgart. Hungary faces significantly tough opposition, reminiscent of its 2020 campaign which saw it face European giants France, Germany and Portugal.

Winning Odds

As expected, Hungary faces long odds to win the European Championship. Countries like England, Italy, France, Portugal and host Germany are tipped by bettors around the world to lift the coveted trophy.

On sports betting sites, Hungary’s odds to win are listed as +8000. Hungarian sportsbooks and top platforms in jurisdictions like Canada and the US will all offer an option to bet on futures and live matches as they come, while offering bonuses.

Concluding Thoughts on Hungary’s European Championship Charge

It has been 60 years since Hungary’s best performance at the Euros and over 50 years since the Magyarok last reached the semifinals. With international stars like Szoboszlai and Sallai in the team, there’s a good chance that Hungary can pull an upset. However, all eyes will be on the first group game as it will give a sneak peek into how far the national team can go in the competition.

June 3, 2024

Sensible spending or madness? Evaluation of football clubs according to cost-effectiveness

Sponsored content

In the world of modern football, where the financial possibilities of clubs are strikingly different, the issue of efficient use of money is becoming more and more relevant. ESPN tried to gauge which teams got the most bang for their buck by comparing their spending to national championship performance. The final result summarized 96 clubs from Europe’s five best leagues, from the smartest poets to the wildest investments.

Small budget, big results

At the top of the ranking are teams with relatively modest budgets, who nevertheless show impressive results in their leagues. At the top of the list is Germany’s Heidenheim, whose spending per point is 73% lower than the Bundesliga average, according to mostbet statistics.

They are followed by Spain’s Alaves and Las Palmas, who manage their limited resources adeptly and occupy decent positions in La Liga. It is noteworthy that Las Palmas is one of the top three teams in the Spanish league in terms of the number of passes received from the opposition and the number of passes rejected, demonstrating an attractive style of play.

Germany’s Stuttgart and Freiburg and France’s Brest are not far behind the modest Spaniards. These clubs create plenty of scoring opportunities and rack up a respectable amount of points despite their relatively low wages.

The Giants spend millions indiscriminately

At the other end of the scale are the giants of European football, whose crazy spending has nothing to do with their results in national championships. Here we see Manchester City, Juventus, Barcelona, Real Madrid and PSG at the top of the anti-classification.

Spending an average of $208,529 per point earned (four times more than their nearest competitor in France), Parisians are the epitome of reckless spending. Their huge expenses are probably aimed at success in the Champions League, but in the domestic league they seem completely unjustified.

A similar situation can be observed among other giants. Manchester United, Chelsea, Atlético Madrid and Bayern Munich spend huge sums on their teams, but they are at the bottom of the list of spenders.

Is such an expense justified?

Of course, success in national championships is often not the main goal for top clubs. Their eyes are on European competitions, especially the Champions League. Therefore, the huge expenses of superstars and super-expensive squads can be justified in terms of the fight for the most prestigious European trophies.

However, even taking this nuance into account, the costs of some giants seem excessive and ineffective. PSG, the undisputed contenders in the rankings, spend astronomical sums, but cannot reach the desired heights in the Champions League.

Maybe it’s time to rethink our transfer policy and approach to roster building? After all, as ESPN’s assessment shows, moderate and reasonable spending often brings no less results than unbridled investment in star teams.

Disclaimer: the author(s) of the sponsored article(s) are solely responsible for any opinions expressed or offers made. These opinions do not necessarily reflect the official position of Daily News Hungary, and the editorial staff cannot be held responsible for their veracity.

May 30, 2024

Official: Budapest to host the Champions League final in 2026

puskas arena champions league 2026 russia match

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) announced in Dublin on Wednesday that the 2026 Champions League final will be held in Budapest, at the Puskás Arena.

Champions League final to be held in Budapest

The UEFA announced the news on its official X (formerly Twitter) channel that their executive committee has decided to hold the final of the European Football Championship in Puskás Arena in two years’ time.

🇭🇺 The 2026 Champions League final will be held in Budapest, at the Puskás Aréna!

All the Executive Committee decisions: ⬇️#UCLfinal

— UEFA (@UEFA) May 22, 2024

The Puskás Arena, inaugurated in 2019, hosted a European Super Cup match in 2020, two group matches and a round of 16 at the European Championship in 2021 and a Europa League final in 2023.

puskas arena — Source: Facebook/Puskás Aréna

Read also:

May 22, 2024

Four why reasons Spain could win Euro 2024

Sponsored content

As Euro 2024 approaches, debates are starting to occur amongst football fans and pundits alike over who they think could win the sought-after title in Germany.

Spain are slight underdogs in the Euro 2024 betting at 9/1, but La Roja are gearing up for a compelling campaign that will be challenging from the get-go.

Despite the absence of key midfielders Pedri and Gavi due to injury, there are still numerous reasons to believe that Spain can emerge victorious under the guidance of manager Luis de la Fuente.

As we count down the remaining days to Euro 2024, here are four major factors that could propel Spain to victory in Germany.

Tactical flexibility

Many questioned the appointment of de la Fuente given his lack of experience, with even the manager himself previously admitting he was surprised to be appointed by the Royal Spanish Football Federation.

However, under the leadership of de la Fuente, Spain have continued to evolve tactically and are heading back in the right direction after a disappointing exit in the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar under Luis Enrique.

Known for his adaptability and strategic mind, de la Fuente has successfully blended the traditional Spanish possession-based style with a more direct approach, making the team unpredictable and difficult to defend against.

Attacking full-backs are a big part of de la Fuente’s tactical nous, while he also likes to deploy a more traditional centre-forward — which goes against the majority of Spain squads in years gone by, who have usually used a false nine.

Depth and rotation

Spain’s squad depth allows them to handle the loss of key players like Pedri and Gavi. De la Fuente has used over 40 players since taking over from Enrique, including giving senior international debuts to over 10 players.

Real Sociedad defender Robin Le Normand and Real Madrid’s Joselu have emerged as regulars in the Spain squad, along with the likes of Pau Torres of Aston Villa, Paris Saint-Germain’s Fabian Ruiz, and Mikel Oyarzabal, a teammate of Le Normand at Sociedad.

But what makes de la Fuente unique is the aforementioned unpredictability. His knack for chopping and changing the team and using various players in certain positions will make it very difficult for sides to prepare for their matches with Spain at the Euros.

In fact, de la Fuente played a different XI in all eight of La Roja’s European qualifiers, often making mass changes to the team and using a vast variety of players.

Core squad

While de la Fuente likes rotating his starting XIs, there is still an importance on the core players and the newly formed spin of the team.

Unai Simon has stepped up as Spain’s number-one goalkeeper and the Athletic Bilbao shot-stopper has been largely impressive between the sticks, while Le Normand has shown at centre-back despite high-profile competition from Aymeric Laporte and Torres.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri is, undoubtedly, Spain’s most important player. He’s a born leader both on and off the pitch and will be key to La Roja in Germany.

Alvaro Morata, rejuvenated back at Atletico Madrid, wears the captain’s armband and scored four goals in six games throughout qualifying. He bagged three goals and an assist in four games at the World Cup and will be hoping for another good showing in a big tournament.

Exciting youth

One of the main reasons de la Fuente was entrusted with the responsibility of the senior Spain job was due to his experience and success with the nation’s youth sides, winning the European Under-19 Championship in 2015 and the European U-21 Championship in 2015.

Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi has been capped twice at just 17 and is likely to make it to the Euros, while Alex Baena (22), Nico Williams (21), and Lamine Yamal (16) are some of the other players who will bring youthful exuberance to the Spanish fold in Germany.

—

For the fans, Spain might not seem like one of the biggest threats at Euro 2024. But when you break them down, they have every chance of going far in the tournament and perhaps faring better than their run to the semi-final of the tournament three years ago.

May 16, 2024

Dominik’s favourite: Hungarian Liverpool star Szoboszlai collaborates with McDonald’s!

dominik szoboszlai mcdonalds collaboration

Dominik Szoboszlai, the captain of the Hungarian national football team and Liverpool midfielder, has signed a long-term, multi-year partnership with McDonald’s Hungary.

As the first step of the partnership, fans will be able to taste Szoboszlai‘s favourite McDonald’s menu at the Szoboszlai Live event on 30 May, which will be available to everyone after 4 June. As part of the partnership, the national footballer will also support the work of the local Ronald McDonald Children’s Foundation (Ronald McDonald Gyermeksegély Alapítvány).

Anyone can have a favourite McDonald’s menu. That’s the idea behind the Famous Orders Super Bowl spot in the US in 2020. Buoyed by the success of the commercial, McDonald’s took the idea a step further by allowing fans to order their favourite celebrity’s favourite McDonald’s menu. Famous Orders has now moved beyond the world of advertising and become a real restaurant offering.

In recent years, the brand has worked primarily with music artists globally, including Travis Scott, J Balvin and BTS. Dominik Szoboszlai’s menu of his favourite McDonald’s products will be the first to be served in Hungary, marking the launch of the globally successful programme in the country.

“No matter how successful or famous you are, anyone can have a favourite McDonald’s menu. That’s the idea behind McDonald’s Famous Orders campaign. When we were planning the domestic launch, it was a no-brainer to work with a true global star here at home. We’ve decided to launch our local McDonald’s Favourites campaign with an exciting unique selection of Dominik’s favourites.

We hope to delight our guests and Dominik’s fans alike with this menu. We plan to work together over several years, during which Dominik will also be involved in the mission of the Ronald McDonald Children’s Foundation, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year,” said Zsolt Égi, Managing Director of Progress Restaurant Network Ltd. (Progress Étteremhálózat Kft.), which operates McDonald’s restaurants in Hungary.

The “Domi Mekis kedvence” (Dominik’s McDonald’s favourite) menu will be accompanied by a 360-degree national communication campaign.

“It’s been mentioned several times before that I have a natural relationship with McDonald’s. After a success or achievement, McDonald’s often came into the picture. It is a great feeling and an honour to be a partner of such a global brand. It’s special for me to be the first to introduce my favourites to McDonald’s fans in this country, and to join the ranks of world star performers and athletes,” said Dominik Szoboszlai.

What are some of Dominik’s McDonald’s favourites? Find out at the Szoboszlai Live event on 30 May.

Read also:

May 9, 2024

Hungary’s sporting stars: Icons of the past and present

Throughout the years, Hungary has consistently fostered exceptional athletes across various sports. It is time to highlight both the established global icons and the emerging talents poised to etch their names in the annals of Hungarian sporting history.

Aladár Gerevich

Aladár Gerevich, born in 1910, was a renowned Hungarian fencer who amassed an impressive array of accolades throughout his career. He secured seven Olympic gold medals, fourteen world championship titles, and thirty-four Hungarian championship victories. Despite missing two Olympics due to World War II, Gerevich’s dominance in sabre fencing remains unparalleled. His exceptional technique, physicality, and elegance set him apart, earning him recognition as one of the greatest fencers in Hungarian history.

Ferenc Puskás

Ferenc Puskás was a Hungarian football legend born in 1927. As captain of the renowned Golden Team, he earned the nickname Puskás Öcsi and was affectionately known as Pancho in Spain. Puskás boasted a remarkable career, representing both the Hungarian national team and the Spanish Real Madrid.

He achieved numerous accolades including Olympic gold, World Championship silver, and triumphs in prestigious club competitions. Puskás’ prolific scoring ability earned him the title of the greatest goalscorer of the 20th century, highlighted by his unique feat of scoring in major finals across various tournaments, cementing his legacy as one of football‘s all-time greats.

Dominik Szoboszlai

Dominik Szoboszlai, born in Székesfehérvár in 2000, is a highly regarded Hungarian footballer currently playing as a midfielder for Premier League club Liverpool. Recognised for his talent from a young age, Szoboszlai has been ranked among the top young footballers worldwide by reputable sources such as The Guardian, goal.com, and UEFA.

He began his career at Videoton before moving to Red Bull Salzburg in Austria, where he quickly rose through the ranks to become a key player. Szoboszlai’s exceptional performances earned him the title of the best player in the Austrian Bundesliga. He made history as the most expensive Hungarian player twice, with Leipzig and Liverpool both securing his services.

Katinka Hosszú

Born on May 3, 1989, in Pécs, Hungary, Katinka Hosszú is a swimming sensation with an illustrious career. With three Olympic gold medals, nine World Championship titles, and an impressive fifteen European Championship victories to her name, she stands as one of Hungary’s most decorated athletes. Notably, Hosszú made history by simultaneously holding world records in all five medley swimming events, including the 200m, 400m, and short course variations of the 100m, 200m, and 400m.

Ibolya Csák

Ibolya_Csak — Source: Wikimedia Commons / Unknown Author

Ibolya Csák, born on January 6, 1915, in Budapest, Hungary, was a prominent athlete known for her prowess in high jump and long jump. Competing for the National Gymnastics Club, she achieved notable success in the high jump, employing innovative techniques like the Porter style. Her crowning achievement came at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where she became the first Hungarian woman to win an Olympic gold medal in athletics, amidst a tight competition.

Csák’s career saw numerous victories, including a European title in 1938. She held Hungarian records and won championships in both the high and long jumps before retiring in 1939. Beyond sports, she worked for the Hungarian Banknote Printing Company until 1970 and later served as the honorary president of the National Gymnastics Association. Csák’s legacy endures as a trailblaser in Hungarian athletics.

These athletes represent just a glimpse of Hungary’s rich sporting heritage. While only five have been highlighted here, Hungary boasts numerous other talents across various sports. Despite its size, Hungary has consistently punched above its weight in the world of athletics, showcasing a tradition of excellence that continues to inspire.

Read also:

Check out some of the best Hungarian animated movies – HERE
5 enchanting historical Hungarian towns to explore this spring – HERE

April 28, 2024

BREAKING: Russian gas giant Gazprom may be the main sponsor of Hungarian elite soccer club

Ferencváros won the Nemzeti Bajnokság (OTP Bank Liga, the Hungarian soccer national championships) yesterday, and Hungarian press writes that Russian gas giant Gazprom may become its main sponsor in the new season.

Russian gas giant Gazprom will give a lot of money to Fradi

Blikk, a Hungarian tabloid, wrote that it is an open secret that Gazprom will be Fradi’s main sponsor, giving billions of forints to the top Hungarian soccer club.

Gazprom is the world’s largest natural gas extractor. The Russian giant was the shirt sponsor of the German Schalke and was among the top supporters of the UEFA. However, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the club and the association terminated their contracts.

Meanwhile, the Serbian Crvena Zvezda still has the company’s name and logo on its shirts. According to Blikk’s Serbian informants, the Russian firm gives EUR 5 million to the club each season. Blikk speculated that Fradi’s support would be even higher than that sum.

Russian gas giant and Fradi — *Dejan Stankovic, the head coach of Fradi after the victory. Waiting for a payrise? Photo: MTI*

Game-changer: star footballer will come to Fradi?

Gazprom’s money might be a game-changer for Fradi. For example, Schalke bought Real Madrid’s icon, Raúl, with the Russian gas money they got. Blikk wrote that the Russian money might mean a star footballer may arrive soon at Fradi’s Budapest stadium on Üllői Street.

The annual budget will exceed HUF 20 billion (EUR 50 million) in 2024. In 2022, it was HUF 17,2 billion.

A sports economist, Gábor Szabados, told Blikk he would not believe that Fradi would spend the extra money on a star footballer. He believes Fradi will buy several high-quality players.

Gazprom’s sponsorship will be strange for many, and some will probably criticise it, Mr Szabados believes. Officially, however, the UEFA cannot sanction Fradi because of it.

Read also:

PM Orbán wants more Hungarian clubs reaching the level of Fradi – Read more HERE
Shocking: Hungary lost hundreds of EUR millions on the Russian gas business

April 22, 2024

Who Can Challenge Ferencváros? Nemzeti Bajnokság I Final Stretch Predictions

Sponsored content

Ferencváros have some work to do to secure their sixth consecutive league title. Hungary’s most successful clubs are the favourites with bookmakers to do that, as they have the proven form and winning mentality in this long, sustained spell of success.

With around a third of the season left to play, the nearest challenger to Ferencváros in the title race are Paks, but their sliding form through March put them on the back foot in the NB 1 title.

When action resumes after the March international break, pre-match football predictions will look forward to a potentially title-deciding fixture between the top two on April 7th. But can Paks challenge Ferencváros?

The Season So Far – Ferencváros

Things went pretty well for the reigning champions in the first third of the season, winning eight of their opening ten matches, with just the one surprise home slip-up against Puskas. But from the start of November through early December, their title challenge became derailed.

Ferencváros collapsed to a W1 D2 L3 record in a spell of six matches. The third of those defeats happened on the road at Paks, which made the title race extremely fascinating. But nothing in football is permanent, and things were about to change for Ferencváros.

After losing to Paks, that seemed to stir the beast in Ferencváros who stormed their way to a seven-match winning streak as a response. That was enough to get them back to the summit at the international break.

The Season So Far – Paks

If Paks fail to break the title reign of Ferencváros this season, they will be kicking themselves. There have been times during the season when they really could have pushed on towards what would be their first Nemzeti Bajnokság I crown.

Their victory over Ferencváros in mid-December for example, was followed by a heavy away loss at MOL Fehervar, which is reflective of an issue that has been plaguing Paks this season.

Just when they seem to be getting up a head of steam, they crucially let points slip away through their hands. They had a three-match winning stream going in early December and then lost. In February, they had another three-match winning streak and then lost.

In early March Paks had won back-to-back matches on the road, but then in their next match, back on home soil, they dropped two points against Debrecen. There are a lot of small margins that they haven’t quite been able to close.

The Run In

But still, despite only two wins in five matches before the international break, Paks are only two points adrift of leaders Ferencváros. If they could find some extended winning form at some point in the final stretch, plus take three points off their title rivals when they meet in early April, they are still in the hunt.

Of their eight remaining league fixtures, Paks have an even split of four at home and four on the road. Unfortunately for them, two of those remaining away games are against top-four sides, and their record so far this season at top-six sides is played three, lost three.

So Ferencváros look to have the edge, and they do still hold a game in hand over Paks as well, which is why they are huge odds-on favourites in the betting market. Ferencváros have a proven goalscoring edge over the rest of the least as well, averaging 2.58 goals per game.

The reigning champions will play five of their remaining nine for the season at home and while they also have to play three current top-six teams (including Paks) they are all home fixtures as well, which should give them a significant advantage.

Top Four Finish

Paks are well on course to land a top-four finish this season, and they are likely to be joined by MOL Fehervar who are comfortably positioned in third spot, but only on goal difference above Debrecen.

But the race behind them for the final spot in the top four is wide open to everyone, right down to the eighth-placed Kecskemeti TE. The ones to watch in the Top 4 race, could be Diosgyor VTK who were coming into great form before.

At the foot of the table, Kisvárda and Mezőkövesd are well adrift. It’s unlikely that either of them are going to do enough in the remaining seven matches to haul themselves to safety.

March 29, 2024

The Economic Impact and Opportunities of the 2024 European Championship in Germany

Sponsored content

Hungary will kick off its match against Switzerland in the 2024 European Championship in Germany in less than three months. The hearts of fans will beat faster, and the games will draw countless viewers to the TV or the stadium. Some will travel to Germany without a ticket just to experience the atmosphere up close.

Meanwhile, preparations are in full swing, as the European Championship is not only a major sporting event for Germany but an economic challenge that brings great opportunities. Areas such as tourism, gastronomy, retail, and infrastructure projects are being pushed forward. Yet, as anticipation for the tournament rises, some economic experts caution against restraint.

Economic Impulses from the EURO 2024

The EURO 2024 could be a worthwhile affair for many sectors. Besides UEFA, which expects economic success from the tournament, it is the public sector and Germany’s private economy that wants to benefit from the European Football Championship.

Recent European Championships have shown that the tournament is a lucrative business for UEFA. Sales of rights like media or commercial rights, ticket revenues, and hospitality earnings are just some areas where UEFA profits. After distributions to associations, solidarity payments to clubs, and donations, UEFA generated a net result of 645.8 million euros from EURO 2020.

Germany Hopes for Economic Revenues

After the 2006 World Cup, the EURO 2024 is the next major football tournament that is taking place in Germany. Thus, the country can draw on some experience. As a football-crazy country with numerous traditional clubs, Germany already has an existing stadium and traffic infrastructure.

Nevertheless, further expenditures will flow into the expansion of infrastructure, as the EURO is used to launch sustainable projects and invest in renewable energies. Thus, numerous economic sectors could benefit from the EURO.

Local Businesses and Trade

For local businesses, especially in the hospitality industry, the EURO offers a unique opportunity to benefit from international attention and the numerous visitors. Restaurants, bars, and hotels expect increased demand, while retailers plan marketing campaigns and offers around the football festival.

Tourism

When it comes to the economic impacts of the EURO, the tourism sector is particularly in focus. Cities and regions around the venues are preparing to welcome fans from all over Europe and the world. In addition to the direct economic stimulation through overnight stays and consumer spending by visitors, long-term effects are also hoped for. A successful EURO 2024 can improve the image and recognition of the host cities and make them more attractive as travel destinations.

Other Economic Sectors

A hotly debated topic in Germany is sponsors from the betting industry. In the Bundesliga, there were recently some protests against the sponsorship of betting providers. Also, at the EURO 2024, where Betano has become the betting partner, the topic remains hotly debated.

Nevertheless, for the betting providers, such a tournament is a great economic opportunity to convince customers of their offer. One of the most sought-after promotions during such an event is the EURO Betting Bonus, a special offer designed to maximize the betting experience during the EURO 2024. This bonus can vary from provider to provider, offering anything from deposit matches to risk-free bets, making the tournament not only a celebration of football but also an exciting time for betting enthusiasts.

Scepticism and Realistic Perspectives

Despite these potential benefits, an economic expert in the Spiegel article warns against too high expectations for the economic impulses of the EUROs. The experiences from the 2006 Football World Cup show that major sporting events can lead to a shift in consumer spending – for example, through the purchase of new TVs or increased spending on public viewing and gastronomy – but not necessarily to an increase in overall consumer spending. Consumer expenditures merely shift from one area to another without leading to a significant economic upswing.

Between Enthusiasm, Profit, and Longevity

The 2024 European Football Championship will undoubtedly be a time of enthusiasm and celebration. However, the economic impulses of the tournament are complex and not unequivocally positive.

While specific sectors and regions may benefit from the event, it is unlikely that the EURO will cause a significant economic upswing for the entire country. However, the sustainable orientation of the tournament offers a chance to initiate positive changes beyond the moment.

March 28, 2024

Budapest downtown traffic changes due to soccer match next Monday, Tuesday – MAP

Budapest’s 7th, 8th and 14th districts will face significant traffic restrictions next Monday and Tuesday, the Budapest police headquarters said.

Budapest traffic changes due to soccer match

According to Turizmus Online, a Hungarian tourism news outlet, the national soccer team will play a preparatory match with Kosovo in the Puskás Arena, Budapest.

According to their statement, it will be forbidden to stop from 8 pm 25 March until 11 pm 26 March on multiple streets around the Puskás Arena. Those include the Verseny Street between Dózsa György and Thököly Streets. The same applies to the Dózsa György Street between the Kerepesi and Thököly Streets from 8 am until 11 pm on 26 March. Furthermore, you will not be able to stop in the parking lot at the junction of Ifjúság, Dózsa György and Kerepesi Streets.

Cars in parking lot, parking system — Photo: Pixabay

Segments of Asztalos Sándor Street, Ifjúság Street, and Kerepesi Street will also be closed. Moreover, you will not be allowed to stop in the area surrounded by the service road leading to the Papp László Budapest Sports Arena and the Puskás Ferenc Stadium metro station.

Police map shows which streets will be closed for traffic, parking

Several other street segments will be closed for traffic or parking. Instead of listing all of those, thankfully, the Budapest police department made a map on which they cleared which roads will be temporarily closed for parking.

Unfortunately, the text is in Hungarian. Actually, interpreting is not hard: let us help you with that below.

Blue shows the streets on which stopping will be prohibited. In the description (“leírás”) box, you can read the precise date and time. You should consider that in Hungarian, the month’s name precedes the day. Afterwards comes the hour and the minute police plans to close the street segment.

Meanwhile, red is the colour for the streets that will be temporarily and gradually closed for traffic. Those segments will only be closed on 26 March between 4 pm and 11 pm. Interpretation of the Hungarian text in the “leírás” (description) box is the same as above. Here is the map:

The Hungary-Kosovo preparatory match will start on 26 March at 7 pm.

On Friday, the Hungarian team defeated Türkiye 1-0 in the Puskás Aréna on a friendly match. That was the 13th match in Budapest in which Hungary did not lose. The team and the goal below:

Hungary-Türkiye friendly match — Photo: MTI

Read also:

It will be hard to reach Budapest Airport in April: road maintenance begins – Read more HERE
Startling: Uber returns to Budapest but will be very different – Details in THIS article

March 24, 2024

Euros Warm Up: Hungary vs. Kosovo Match Preview

Hungarian football national team puskás arena türkiye

Hungary, the top team in their group, secured their place in Euro 2024. They will compete in an international friendly on Tuesday. They will host Kosovo at the Puskás Arena in Budapest.

The two teams are meeting for the first time in history, as the Hungarians are getting ready for their upcoming journey to Germany this summer, with aspirations of contending for the European Championship.

Hungary vs. Kosovo: Form Guide

Hungary, who had previously been unsuccessful in qualification for the European Championships for over 40 years from 1976 to 2012, have now successfully qualified for their third consecutive Euros. They achieved this by finishing in first place in Group G during the Euro 2024 qualifying round, which concluded last year.

The Tricolours had a flawless qualifying campaign, winning all their matches and accumulating 18 points from eight games. They scored a total of 16 goals, finishing four points ahead of Serbia, who came in second place.

Since June 2022, Hungary has performed very well in all tournaments under the guidance of manager Marco Rossi. They have won nine, drawn five, and lost just two of their past 16 international matches, defeating strong opponents like Serbia (twice), England, and Germany.

Hungary, now ranked 27th in the FIFA global rankings, will play at home against Kosovo in a friendly meeting this Tuesday and will be confident in securing another win when they have not lost any of their past seven matches on their own turf.

Hungary: Previous 6 Matches

19.11.2023	Hungary	3-1	Montenegro	Euro Qualifiers
16.11.2023	Bulgaria	2-2	Hungary	Euro Qualifiers
17.10.2023	Lithuania	2-2	Hungary	Euro Qualifiers
14.10.2023	Hungary	2-1	Serbia	Euro Qualifiers
07.09.2023	Serbia	1-2	Hungary	Euro Qualifiers
20.06.2023	Hungary	2-0	Lithuania	Euro Qualifiers

Disclaimer: Hungary vs. Turkey (Friday, 22nd) isn’t reflected in the above records because the game hadn’t taken place at the time of writing.

Following their triumph against Israel in Pristina last year and Switzerland’s subsequent tie with Israel, Kosovo—a nation that has never made it to a big event like the European Championship or the World Cup—hoped to earn a ticket in next summer’s tournament in Germany.

Having drawn with Switzerland in November, Kosovo dropped to fourth place with 11 points. They were eight points behind leader Romania and six points behind second-place Switzerland, which was the last qualifying spot for Euro 2024.

Kosovo required a win over Switzerland and a final-round victory against Belarus to qualify, hoping that Romania would also beat Switzerland. Visiting Hungary this weekend might be seen as little more than an early Spring break since these excessive expectations didn’t materialise.

Kosovo has been coached by Primoz Gliha twice since July 2023. In his first six matches in command, the team has won twice, drawn twice, and lost twice. The 56-year-old is looking forward to leading the country to its first big tournament in the future, maybe aiming for the redesigned World Cup in 2026.

This squad has, however, avoided losing two consecutive games since they faced Greece and Ian Baraclough’s Northern Ireland in June and September 2022. Back-to-back draws with Switzerland during the Euro qualifiers weren’t bad results either.

Kosovo: Previous 6 Matches

21.11.2023	Kosovo	0-1	Belarus	Euro Qualifiers
18.11.2023	Switzerland	1-1	Kosovo	Euro Qualifiers
12.11.2023	Kosovo	1-0	Israel	Euro Qualifiers
12.10.2023	Andorra	0-3	Kosovo	Euro Qualifiers
12.09.2023	Romania	2-0	Kosovo	Euro Qualifiers
09.09.2023	Kosovo	2-2	Switzerland	Euro Qualifiers

Hungary vs. Kosovo: The Betting Odds

Hungary 4/7

Draw 14/5

Kosovo 4/1

Unsurprisingly, the bookmaker’s odds have sided with Hungary to come out triumphant in this friendly meeting on Tuesday night. And you might be enticed by their free betting offers and enhanced odds for this international friendly. Still, we should remain diligent whenever wagering on friendly games due to their lack of competitiveness.

Hungary vs. Kosovo: Prediction

Ultimately, we have one squad with an impressive record home record that should enter in a buoyant mood ahead of the Euro 2024 competition and another team that’s likely licking its wounds following a painful exit from the same competition qualifiers.

We can expect Marco Rossi to play around with his Hungary squad in hopes of finding the perfect unit for the Euros in Germany. However, despite this factor presenting itself as a risk, it’s difficult not to back the home side in keeping their impressive record at Puskas Arena intact.

Kosovo hasn’t won any of their three most recent away trips, and we can expect this rough patch to continue against the Magyarok. I wouldn’t, however, expect a plethora of goals, as is with most friendly international meetings.

Hungary vs. Kosovo Best Bet: Hungary Win @ 4/7

Hungary vs. Kosovo Best Betting Value: Under @ 4/5

Hungary vs. Kosovo Score Prediction: 2-0

March 22, 2024

Significant traffic restrictions in Budapest between 21 and 25 March

city traffic budapest travel mayor karácsony speed limit car

During the second half of the week, temporary traffic restrictions will be in place in Budapest’s Districts V, VII, VIII and XIV due to a Hungarian-Turkish football match.

The Hungarian-Turkish football match may paralyse the capital’s traffic during the second half of the week. There will be temporary traffic restrictions between 21 and 25 March in Budapest’s Districts V, VII, VIII and XIV, the Budapest Police Headquarters said on Tuesday. The Hungarian national football team preparing for the European Championship will play against Turkey on Friday evening at the Puskás Arena.

Traffic restrictions in Budapest

Budapest traffic travel — Photo: facebook.com/bkkbudapest

According to the police statement, it will be prohibited to stop on the park side of Erzsébet Square in District V between Miatyánk Street and Bécsi Street from 12 noon on Thursday, 21 March to 3.30 PM on 25 March; and on both sides of Verseny Street in District VII and VIII between Dózsa György Road and Thököly Road from 8 PM on 21 March to midnight on 22 March.

You won’t be able to stop on Friday 22 March from 6 AM to midnight on VII, in districts VIII and XIV, on both sides of Dózsa György Road between Kerepesi Road and Thököly Road, in the gravel parking area at the intersection of Dózsa György Road, Kerepesi Road and Ifjúság Road, on both sides of Ifjúság Road, in the service road leading to the underground car park of the Papp László Budapest Sport Arena (on the hotel side) and in the area bordered by the Puskás Ferenc Stadion metro station.

Upcoming matches

The Marco Rossi-led national team will face Turkey in a preparation match on 22 March, then Kosovo on 26 March ahead of the summer European Championship, before meeting Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Nations League on 10 September, the Netherlands on 11 October and Germany on 19 November at the Puskás Arena.

Read also:

March 20, 2024

Diving Into Hungary’s Chances Of Winning Euro 2024: Is It Possible?

Hungarian football national team training euro 2024

Sponsored content

Rewind three years ago and Hungary had a difficult time of things in a COVID-affected Euro 2020. The team failed to get out of its group despite being one of the home teams and playing two out of three games at the Puskas Arena in Budapest. Some will argue they had easily the hardest group of all, facing off against France, Germany and Portugal – but failing to win a single match despite going up 1-0 against both France and Germany was a huge blow to morale.

This year, the side looks in great form as it topped its qualifying group to make it to Euro 2024. Hungary was drawn in the same group as Germany again for this tournament, though this time they’re joined by Scotland and Switzerland. The chances of getting through the group stages are very high – but what about the chances of winning the whole thing?!

We’ve been checking the bookmakers and according to the CasinoGam guide, these gambling sites not on GamStop don’t have very high hopes for Hungary, giving the side the following odds of winning:

Rolletto – 79.00
Golden Mister – 80.00
Black Magic – 78.00

In other words, the bookies don’t think Hungary is going to win the championship and put many other teams well ahead of them. Is this harsh, or do we think that odds of around 79.00 on average are pretty fair for this Hungary team? Let’s take a look!

The Magyarok Are In Red Hot Form

The formbook makes pretty reading for fans of the Hungarian National Football Team. Throughout the entire Euro 2024 qualification phases, the squad didn’t lose a single match. This was in a group against tricky teams like Serbia and Montenegro.

Perhaps more impressively, the last time Hungary lost an international match was in September 2022 when they lost 2-0 against European Champions Italy.

They’re probably in the best form the team has been in since the days of the legendary Puskas himself and have chalked up multiple wins against England – and perhaps more importantly, a victory against fellow Euro 2024 Group A members, Germany.

Compared to the other teams in their group, Hungary is by far and away in the best form. Scotland has lost many games recently, Germany hasn’t won in three matches and Switzerland barely made it through an easy Euro 2024 qualification group.

So, if we’re looking at things from form alone, Hungary are arguably the best side in this group!

An Open International Playing Field

In years gone by you could easily pick out one of two teams that were favoured to win a Euros event. These days it’s much harder to do so. We’re of the opinion that the general level of international football has declined somewhat – as shown in last year’s World Cup where many of the old “best teams in the world” look pretty stagnant.

As we look at all the Euro 2024 groups, it’s hard to pick out teams that look head and shoulders above the others. The bookmakers think the following teams are the favourites, but we’re not so sure:

England – 4.35
France – 4.55
Germany – 7.45
Spain – 8.30

Spain and Germany are shadows of the teams they once were, so we can’t see them winning. England always chokes and France is perhaps the only squad that strikes fear into everyone. But, they’re in a group with the Netherlands and Austria who could both be potential banana skins!

Aside from England (who have a typically easy group) the other top teams will be up against it. Spain has to qualify ahead of Italy, Croatia and Albania – which is no easy feat at all. You couldn’t ask for a better time to be in form with such openness across the international field. Perhaps Hungary is peaking at the perfect time and could shock the footballing world.

Led By A Dynamic Talisman

One thing has always stopped Hungary from going on and hitting the heights of the 1950s and 1960s when the national team came second at the World Cup and third in the European Championship.

Star power.

Yes, they’ve had great players since then, but none have commanded the same star power as the likes of Puskas…until now.

Dominik Szoboszlai is the current captain and has quickly become a talisman for the team. He’s the beating heart of the midfield and helps the attack with a few goals. At just 23 years of age, he’s still not entered his prime, yet is already regarded as one of the foremost midfield talents in Europe. It earned him a big-money move to Liverpool in 2023 and became a key cog in their team. After fighting back from a mid-season injury he’s looking to be in excellent form come the summer tournament.

Who knows, maybe a star like Szoboszlai is exactly what Hungary needs to make a deep run?

After taking all of this into consideration, we think the bookmakers might have things wrong. Odds of 79.00 or 80.00 on Hungary to win seem a bit ridiculous given their form and the state of international football at the moment. We’re realists, so we don’t think Hungary are favourite to win – not by a long shot – but we do think they have the best chance for generations. We’re eager for it all to kick off and to see if the Magyarok can shock the world.

March 20, 2024

EURO 2024: Analysis of Hungary’s dynamics in Group A and their path to victory

Hungary-England-football-match-Budapest.

For football lovers, EURO 2024 already promises excitement, especially given the unpredictability of the tournament and the celebration of international football. At the center of the preliminary expectations is Hungary, which has managed to earn its place in the famous tournament, moreover, being placed in an extremely interesting and challenging group, Group A. In this article, we will analyze Hungary’s chances and a potential path to victory in detail, highlighting the group’s opponents, key players, and tactical considerations.

Hungary’s Group A Challenge: Overview

Hungary’s football team has stepped up their game on the international stage, reminding everyone of their golden days. They were the stars of their group at the 2016 European Championship, beating teams like Iceland, Portugal, and Austria, after not competing for 44 years. Although they made it to EURO 2020, they didn’t get past the group stage because they were up against tough teams: France, Germany, and Portugal.

Now, as we look towards EURO 2024, Hungary is in Group A with Germany, Scotland, and Switzerland. A well-planned strategy and harmony within the team will be essential for a successful performance in this tournament. These factors will decide whether the Hungarian national team will be able to cause surprises and compete for first place in the EURO 2024 group stage.

Key players and tactical insights

Hungary’s chances at EURO 2024 depend a lot on how well their star players do, especially Dominik Szoboszlai. He was amazing in the qualifiers, scoring 4 goals and setting up 5 more in just 8 games. His skills in the middle of the field will be crucial. They’re up against tough teams in Group A, and they’ll need Szoboszlai to be at his best. As for other countries, Germany, hosting the tournament, is especially strong. One player to watch out for is Joshua Kimmich. He’s great in the midfield and can control the game. Hungary will need to come up with smart ways to deal with him.

Meanwhile, Scotland’s Andy Robertson, renowned for his defensive abilities, showed outstanding performance in the qualifiers with 3 tackles and 24 ball recoveries in 6 matches, posing another challenge. His ability to initiate attacks from the backline demands vigilance in Hungary’s defensive setup. Additionally, Switzerland’s Xherdan Shaqiri, known for his creative play, can disrupt the defense, urging Hungary to adapt flexibly.

Hungary’s path to the relegation phase: An expert’s view

Looking at Hungary’s group for EURO 2024, it’s clear they have a tough journey ahead. But they can hopefully move on to the next round. Germany is the host and has a very strong team, but they can be beaten. Hungary needs to be smart and catch them off guard.

Scotland might not be seen as a top competitor, but they play hard and never give up. Hungary needs to be clever and disciplined to outplay them. Switzerland has a tight defense and is good at changing their game plan. Hungary has to find a way to score against them while also keeping their defense strong.

For Hungary, the key lies in leveraging its strengths. A resilient defense and swift counterattacks form the basis of success. If you’re curious about Hungary’s odds for the upcoming games, it’s a good idea to check out platforms like Unibet. Online platforms like these are reliable and offer a wide range of entertainment and betting options, making your support for Hungary even more real.

March 18, 2024

Who will win the Champions League?

Sponsored content

The UEFA Champions League is undoubtedly the world’s greatest club competition, the biggest games in club football are played during these months. The competition is capable of glueing hundreds of millions of people to the TV. With the quarterfinals rapidly approaching and the draw for them taking place on 15 March, one important question arises: who will win the Champions League?

The UEFA Champions League, being the world’s biggest club competition, draw hundreds of millions of viewers every year. According to The Athletic, in 2023, UEFA estimated that a global audience of 450 million people would watch at least some part of the Champions League final which saw Manchester City and Inter Milan facing each other. The 2023/24 Champions League finals promise to be no less exciting, so a similarly high viewership is expected.

The groups

The 8 groups of the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 are the following:

Group A	Group B	Group C	Group D	Group E	Group F	Group G	Group H
Bayern Munich	Arsenal	Real Madrid	Real Sociedad	Atlético de Madrid	Borussia Dortmund	Manchester City	Barcelona
Copenhagen	PSV Eindhoven	Napoli	Inter Milan	Lazio	Paris Saint-Germain	RB Leipzig	Porto
Galatasaray	Lens	Braga	Benfica	Feyenoord	Milan	Young Boys	Shakhtar Donetsk
Manchester United	Sevilla	Union Berlin	Red Bull Salzburg	Celtic	Newcastle United	Red Star Belgrade	Antwerp

Round 16 and quarterfinals

As the Round of 16 is progressing, with 8 more teams playing on 12 and 13 March, more and more predictions are coming to light as to who the top 8, top 4, top 2 and the Champions will be. As uefa.com reports, the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League quarter-final, semi-final and final draws will take place at 12:00 CET on Friday, 15 March 2024.

So far, 4 teams secured their places in the quarterfinals:

Bayern Münich
Manchester City
Paris Saint-Germain
Real Madrid

The following 8 teams are competing for the next 4 seats:

Porto (POR) vs Arsenal (ENG)
Napoli (ITA) vs Barcelona (ESP)
PSV Eindhoven (NED) vs Borussia Dortmund (GER)
Inter Milan (ITA) vs Atlético de Madrid (ESP)

Chances of the 4 teams already in quarter-finals

To start with, let’s summarise what coefficients are. The UEFA coefficients are statistics based on weighted arithmetic means which are used for ranking and seeding teams in club and international competitions.

Now, let’s take a look at the chances of the 4 teams already in the top 8 to win the Championship.

Bayern Münich

Bayern’s UEFA coefficient ranking is 2. In the last 3 seasons, the German team could not advance past the quarter-finals. Do you think it will change this year? According to a UEFA.com Bayern reporter, the team “made no secret of their ambition to progress beyond the quarter-finals, the end of the line for them in the Champions League for the past three seasons”. According to the reporter, Harry Kane is the reason many fans believe Bayern might turn out to be German champions this year. In Kane, the team has an “elite striker”, a player who can fire the team up.

Manchester City

Man City’s UEFA coefficient ranking is 1. Last year’s champions are definitely showing everyone that it will not be too easy to snitch the title from them. They are the current favourites in the football betting, and as a UEFA.com Man City reporter puts it, “a trademark show of consistently brutal firepower has brought three goals in all eight of their games so far,” adding that the English team has qualified for the quarter-finals for a seventh consecutive season. According to the reporter, the team’s manager Pep Guardiola has “a relentless will to win” – and this, coupled with the team’s shared desire to be the best, is the perfect equation.

Paris Saint-Germain

Paris Saint-Germain’s UEFA coefficient ranking is 4. PSG fans have a lot to look out for as the team has qualified for the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time since the 2020/21 season. According to a UEFA.com Paris reporter, since the team had an “expertly navigated round of 16 second leg against Real Sociedad”, their hopes and optimism are on the rise. As the reporter points out, the team from the French capital currently has arguably the best player in the world, Kylian Mbappé. As for Warren Zaïre-Emery, Paris has “one of the brightest midfield talents in the game”. If they “continue to evolve as a group and key players remain fit, Les Parisiens will be a force to be reckoned with”, the reporter concludes.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid’s UEFA coefficient ranking is 3. According to a UEFA.com Real Madrid reporter, the team could win the Champions League simply because they are Real Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti’s team “live and breathe the stress, the pride, the ambition, the Houdini acts and the majesty which any club needs” to win the trophy, as the reporter puts it. According to him, unlike most teams, Real Madrid has an “all-consuming desire” to win this trophy.

Whatever happens in the rest of the tournament, whoever wins, one thing is for sure: we are in for one hell of a ride.

March 11, 2024

EURO 2024 Guide – Experience the German football culture

Sponsored content

The Hungarian national football team participates in Germany 2024 for the third European Championship in a row. What can Fans and the national squad expect from Germany as this year’s host, and what can you be excited about?

Germany’s summer dream, 2006

Germany has quite some knowledge when it comes to hosting big football events. The last time they had the chance to showcase their ability to take care of the world’s best athletes accompanied by crowds of fans was in 2006. That time, the whole world was hospitable for the FIFA World Cup.

The organizers as well as the German people were praised for their neatness, hospitality and their sense for perfect organization. Even though the host cities became a melting pot for fans of various cultures and backgrounds, there were no signs of trouble or the feeling, the Germans couldn’t handle the situation.

These are the venues

For the Hungarian national team, the campaign will start on the second day of the tournament with the decisive match against Switzerland. The venue for this match will be Cologne, a city as German as it gets. Even though the founding of the city took place under Roman rule almost 2000 years ago, Cologne has established and reinvented itself over the centuries. Landmarks of the Rhine Metropolis are the Dome, the old town and of course the Cologne Stadium. The venue can host 46’000 spectators and spreads some old football charm through the rectangle shape.

Luckily, the next two games take place at the same venue in Stuttgart. The city is considered to be the “cradle of the automobile” and lies in between vineyards and the river Neckar. The city itself hosts a lot of different industries and is also well known as the second-biggest financial center in Germany. The cultural offer is also huge and dates back until the Roman era. But the fans will mainly spend their time alongside their heroes in the MHPArena (60’000), one of the biggest venues at the tournament.

Both stadiums are easy to reach from the Hungarian base camp, which will be located in Weiler im Allgäu, close to the Austrian border in the south of Germany.

Germany’s enthusiastic fans

One of the stereotypes about Germans is that they are very distant and well-thought. This is true, until they hear the whistle blow and the ball gets kicked-off. Then you will see them transform into loud and enthusiastic football fanatics. Luckily, their sense for structures and rules is still in charge of their behavior. This lets them be one of the best crowds worldwide.

After enjoying their national beverage, which is beer, they become very sociable and talkative. But you would never need to fear them to be aggressive, since they can handle themselves pretty well even under the influence.

Often you will see them on their mobile, since Germans like to bet on their national team and compare the best betting offers, because they are very economical about most aspects of everyday life.

Food and beverage

As mentioned, in Germany football and beer belong together like Siegfried and Roy. The chance is huge, that you will see everybody with a cup of beer in their hands. Before, during and after the match. They won’t be able to greet you or even shake your hands, since often enough in the other hand they will have a Sausage (“Wurst”).

There are many delicious foods to enjoy in Germany, especially if you visit Stuttgart, you would find many different dishes. Even though beer is omnipresent, Germans also like to have a glass of white wine (Riesling), which is cultured on the shores of the Rhine.

Athletic competition

Regarding the athletic challenges, the Hungarians will also meet with Germany on the pitch. Sharing the Group with the host is always difficult, especially since we are talking about Germany.

Furthermore, the other competitors, Scotland and Switzerland, can be hard to win against. For more information, you will find all important facts and insight to Hungary’s opponents here.

Potential scope of success

Should the Hungarian national team overcome all obstacles and get to the next round, the hurdles naturally only would get bigger. In case of finishing the group second, they would most likely compete against Italy or Spain (runner-up group B).

If they can accomplish the sensation and win the group, they would have to compete against the runner-up of group C, most likely Serbia or Denmark.

Luckily, also the best third of this group can qualify for the next round, which could give Hungary an extra chance at the end of the group stage.

February 16, 2024

Euros 2024: These are Hungary’s opponents in group A

Sponsored content

In the middle of June, the European championships will take place in Germany. Hungary is going to face Scotland, Switzerland and the host of the tournament in group A. How strong is this group actually and does Hungary have a chance to reach the last sixteen?

The first and potentially most difficult opponent to face is Germany. Of course, the development of the German national team in the last couple of years has been stagnating, but we are still talking about the host of the whole tournament and a team full of stars.

Besides a pretty good squad with some spectacular young players like Florian Wirtz or Jamal Musiala there is one of the world’s best coaches at the sideline as well with Julian Nagelsmann. Not bad, considering that he has been quite successful with Bayern Munich until they made the wrong decision to sack him after some less convincing performances.

And last but not least, Germany is the host of the tournament. A country that shows its passion for football every single weekend with mostly crowded stands in their impressive stadiums. We’ve seen in the past how such circumstances can help hosts to play on a higher level, and we can expect the same this summer with Germany. We just need to remember the last big tournament in Germany in 2006, which was a comeback of the German national team and a tournament to remember.

Scotland: Surprising qualification instead of Norway

The second opponent of the group stage is Scotland. As you may have already read in the subheading, this team managed to qualify for the tournament instead of Norway. This is already saying enough, since Norway has a highly-talented team with stars like Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard. A team, which is getting more and more difficult to beat.

Scotland managed to do that and get the job done. Directly behind the Spanish team, they managed to qualify for the football fest in Germany this year. And in this group they might feel the chance to get to last sixteen for the first time ever.

We don’t need to expect nice-looking football from Scotland, it’s more like hard workers defending their own goal. That’s how they only conceded eight goals during their qualification matches. But especially their midfield is full of some talented players playing in the Premier League. Their probably most important player is currently Scott McTominay from Manchester United, who was carrying the team during the qualification with a couple of heavily important goals.

Switzerland: Round of last sixteen is the minimum goal

Last but not least, the Swiss are going to face Hungary too. Another difficult opponent, who was having some problems during the last qualification round in a relatively easy group but needed to be taken seriously. After Germany, it’s believed that Hungary needs to beat the Swiss national team to get to the round of the last sixteen.

This will be a huge challenge, because Switzerland was playing a good role during each of the last tournaments, the World Cups as well as the European championships. Since 2014 they have been able to reach the next round in every single tournament, with the quarter-finals at the last Euros.

Now their goal will again be at least the next round, maybe even a higher stage. And it looks like they have a good chance of achieving that. Their squad is again pretty good and balanced with many players out of the top five leagues in Europe, especially with two of the world’s best goalkeepers in the back.

Does Hungary have a chance to reach the last sixteen?

Hungary needs to be prepared for a fight in every single match of the group stage. Especially against Scotland and Switzerland, they need to be focused from the second one in order to get the needed points for the next round.

But the Hungarian team is a good one and has shown strong performances in the last couple of years, against some of the world’s best teams as well. That’s why they don’t need to be scared of anyone and still have a good chance to reach the next round if they are able to show everything they can.

If you want to find out more about the Euros 2024 in Germany and maybe want to bet on some matches if you’re from or living in Germany, you’ll find more information about the European Championships 2024 on Kickfieber.de.

February 14, 2024

Hungarian beauty says her daughter’s father is Brazilian football star Neymar – PHOTOS

The famous Brazilian football guru, Neymar, already has two children from two women. Here is the third, a Hungarian ex-model, who claims they have a 10-year-old daughter and demands a DNA test.

According to 777score.com, Gabriella Gáspár, a Hungarian ex-model, would like Neymar to recognise her 10-year-old daughter as their child and demands retroactive alimony from the Brazilian football star.

The girl’s name is Jázmin Zoé and Ms Gáspár claims they had a relationship with Neymar in 2013, so the girl is his. They met after a friendly match in Bolivia but spent together only one day because, on the next day, she had to travel back to Budapest.

“SBT Sports contacted Gabriella’s lawyer, Angelo Carbone, who confirmed his client’s request for a DNA test to confirm paternity”, 777score.com wrote.

The alimony she demands is quite a sum: 30 thousand euros per month and retroactive alimony for the last ten years. That is 3.6 million euros. She said she tried to get in touch with Neymar and his family in the last few years but did not succeed. ‘I’m not asking for much,’ she says. ‘I just wanted Neymar to get in touch with us.’

Read also:

Dominik Szoboszlai singing with Hungarian star singer is going viral – VIDEO and more in THIS article
Hungary qualifies for the European Championship! – PHOTOS and more HERE

Gabriella and the Brazilian football legend:

The girl resembles Neymar

Neymar has two kids. Davi Lucca is from his relationship with Carol Dantas, and Mavie, with Bruna Biancardi. Neymar’s press office did not comment on the Hungarian ex-model’s story.

The Hungarian woman talked to azscore.com about Neymar’s daughter. She said Jázmin Zoé loved soccer and would like to play like her father one day.

The online media outlet wrote Gabriella works as a stocker in Budapest and worries it will be hard to speak with anybody from Brazil because of the time difference. Gabriella still knows a bit of Portuguese, but she often says ‘ele’ (he) instead of ‘ela’ (she) when referring to Jázmin.

Family photo?

Gabriella says her daughter looks like Rafaella Santos and Nadine Gonçalves, the Brazilian striker’s sister and mother. “Her nature and personality are 100% Neymar’s. My daughter loves football and wants to be a football player like her father”, she added. About her daughter’s feelings towards her father, Gabriella said she regularly watched him on TV and “is eager to finally see him and hug him”.

“I think she looks a lot like Neymar. Many people say that she is the spitting image of Rafaella and very similar to Nadine. Her nature and personality are 100% her father’s”, Gabriella highlighted.

January 31, 2024