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The Most Unforgettable Achievements In Hungarian Football
Did you know that football is the most popular sport in Hungary? Hungarians love playing and talking about football. And do you know what else they enjoy? – Placing wagers on their favourite teams. Luckily, they can access bookies like 20bet, who provide competitive odds on Hungarian and international matches. So, they never miss a chance to place wagers on deserving teams.
Let’s take a walk down memory lane and look at some of the most impressive achievements in Hungarian football:
The Hungarian National Team
Professional football in Hungary dates back to 1901, even though the first football match was in the 1860s. The team, which falls under Magyar Labdarúgó Szövetség (The Hungarian Football Federation), participates in a range of tournaments, including:
- Champions League,
- Europa League,
- Super Cup,
- FIFA Club World Cup,
- FIFA World Cup (National Team),
- European Championship (National Team), and
- UEFA Nations League (National Team).
We look at how it has performed since its inception and the marks it has made in the football world.
Olympic Titles
The Olympic Football Tournament takes place every four years, having started back in 1900. There have been different formats since its inception. But now, the teams comprise the national U23 team with three overage players. Hungary ranks as the most successful team in this football competition, having garnered three titles. Great Britain also has a similar standing.
So, when did Hungary win the Olympic titles?
- 1952,
- 1964, and
- 1968
It also managed to rank in second place in 1972 and third place in 1960, making it a highly successful football team by Olympic standards. And since no other team has managed to clinch more than three wins, it maintains its top ranking.
World Cup Titles
The FIFA World Cup has occurred every four years since its inception in 1930. However, it did not occur in 1942 and 1946 due to the Second World War. The games resumed in 1950 once things had quieted down and people could rebuild their lives.
Brazil is currently the most successful national team, with five titles to date. But Hungary has also made quite a mark in the rankings, having ranked second in the 1938 and 1954 games.
- 1938: Hungary came close to winning the 1938 title, having made it to the final. It was a challenging game as Italy, the reigning champion was keen to ensure it did not lose its title. The game ended 4-2,
- 1954: The 1954 World Cup took place at a time when teams were rebuilding their legacies. Thus, it witnessed a high competition rate with new records, such as the highest number of goals per game. Hungary easily made it through the qualifiers and lost in the finals to West Germany with a 3-2 score. Once again, the team had come close to clinching a World Cup title.
Hungary is yet to win a World Cup title, but hope is not lost.
UEFA European Championship Title
After the World Cup, this is the most-watched league, featuring the most formidable teams battling for the ultimate title. Since its inception in 1958, it has occurred every four years. It faced a minor setback in 2020 at the height of COVID-19 but is now back on track. Germany and Spain are the most successful teams, with three titles each. But Hungary came close to gaining a tag in the leaders list in 1964.
The tournament had 29 teams battling for the title. Hungary made it to the semi-finals, where it lost to Spain with a 2-1 final score, thus coming in third in the championship. It was quite a fete for the team.
You might be wondering what happened to the Hungarian national team after the 1960s when its shine seems to have dimmed. This change mainly owes to the revolution in the 1950s, which saw many footballers leave the country. However, there is hope that this team, which currently ranks 34th in the FIFA World Rankings, will soon make a comeback.
Photo by Unsplash
