One team at Euro 2016 topped their group and was undefeated through the first three matches. They have scored in every game so far and are the equal leaders for goals in the tournament. Yet, almost no one is talking about this team.
Can you guess this side?
Hungary has radically outstripped all expectations so far in France. Arguably no other group winner was as consistent, as Italy and Wales both dropped group stage games and Bernd Storck’s men outscored other undefeated group winners Croatia, France and Germany. They are the ultimate dark horse.
Hungary lacks the reputation of some of the continent’s heavyweights. They also lack the star power of many of the plucky challengers like Wales, Croatia, Poland and even Slovakia.
READ MORE: Euro 2016 – Match Preview – Hungary vs Belgium
The Hungarians were quietly one of the most impressive teams in the initial stage, topping a group that few outside Budapest thought was possible. They accounted for a more fancied Austrian team to win 2-0 in their opening fixture. They were slightly lucky in snatching a 1-1 draw with Iceland, before going head-to-head with a rampaging Cristiano Ronaldo and recording a 3-3 draw to secure top spot.
It is hard to exactly pin down the precise reason for their surprising success. They lack a Gareth Bale, Robert Lewandowski, Luka Modric or Marek Hamsik. Few names on the team sheet will stick out to even the most ardent Premier League fan. Their highest profile player is probably former West Brom midfielder Zoltan Gera. The veteran has been a crucial man in midfield over all three group stage games. One time Liverpool starlet, striker Krisztian Nemeth, has also featured in a couple of fixtures. Winger and captain Balazs Dzsudzsak plies his trade with Turkish side Bursaspor. His play has been a critical reason to his team’s success.
They have not even used a particularly settled lineup in the group stage. Coach Bernd Storck has experimented with three different formations and 18 separate names have started for them in the group stage. All 20 of their outfield players featured at some stage during the groups. That is remarkable rotation.
These two facts have arguably contributed greatly to Nemzeti Tizenegy’s success. They have a versatile and deep squad. Storck has the luxury of being able to tailor his side to suit his opposition, without having to factor in the ego of big name players. The team played an aggressive 4-5-1 against Austria and a 4-3-3 to attack Iceland in wide areas. Against Portugal’s attacking strength, they played a more compact 4-2-3-1, with the versatile Adam Pinter dropping into midfield with Gera, Akos Elek and Gergo Lovrencsics joining Dzsudzsak in an attacking-midfield trio with Adam Szalai up front. The Hannover striker was subbed on shortly before Hungary’s equaliser against Iceland and has started each of the other two games. It is little surprise the team plays better in the presence of the big target man.
Using a variety of players and formations can be risky. It can backfire, as it did in their disjointed draw against Iceland, but the unpredictability and flexibility gives them an almost unparalleled edge.
They will enter their round of 16 game against Belgium as unsurprisingly the overwhelming underdogs. The Belgians were pre-tournament fancies, but came up blank against a resolute Italian side in their first group game. They qualified out of the group but did little to suggest they would be the team to beat in France. The Hungarians may lack the famous Italian defensive discipline, but they will certainly present a challenge to a Belgian side that looks frustrating short of their potential on the big stage.
This is Hungary’s first EURO finals since 1972 and their first major final tournament since 1986. ??? #HUN #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/qEDR1VwPYD
— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) June 22, 2016
Should they get past the Red Devils, they will face Wales or Northern Ireland in the quarters, and one of Croatia, Portugal, Switzerland and Poland in the semis. It is remarkable to think that this is all that lies between them and a spot in the final. Belgium is arguably the most talented team in that bunch. If they get over that initial hurdle their draw will open right up. It sounds fanciful, but stranger things have happened in major tournaments.
This Hungarian team has all the hallmarks of a quiet achiever. A deep, even and versatile squad. Quality wide players like Dzsudzsak, experienced central-midfielders like Gera give them balance and experience in the middle of the park. Their shaky qualifying form, in which they were forced to qualify via a playoff with Norway, has been cast off as they have produced three solid performances.
The Hungarians were fancied by no one heading into the tournament. They have already exceeded everyone’s expectations by topping the group and now have reaped the rewards by landing on the clearly favourable side of the draw. To say they were pre-tournament dark horses was perhaps to oversell their chances. They have done their fans proud by getting this far and a win over Belgium could continue one of the Euros most unheralded success stories.
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
