Portugal round off the group phase of their Euro 2016 campaign against Hungary in Lyon on 22 June.
What can the Seleção expect from the Eastern European nation who are back at a major tournament after a 30-year absence?
Hungarian football journalist Tomasz Mortimer tells all.
What was the reaction in Hungary upon qualifying for the tournament after such a long wait?
The reaction was incredible, probably unseen in Hungary in the 21st century. The only thing I can remember which was close was when Zalaegerszeg beat Man United in a Champions League qualifier, but that was pure bewilderment whereas this was pure, unadulterated joy. The celebrations on the field after the match went on for nearly an hour! And the whole of the crowd stayed, it was magical.
Who are Hungary’s star players?
To be honest, there are no star players. Every player in the first XI is replaceable, and at this point in time, there are probably only four names on the teamsheet: Attila Fiola, Tamas Kadar, Gabor Kiraly and Balazs Dzsudzsak – the first two because there are no players near their “quality” at right back and left back; the latter two because of their past performances for Hungary.
Balazs Dzsudzsak is a match winner, he doesn’t need to have a good game to make an impact, and he can produce something from nothing. You could say he’s Hungary’s Cristiano Ronaldo. Which I guess you could translate as a poor man’s Ronaldo. He’s a bit of luxury player, but in big games he does get stuck in defensively, and he’ll be a threat from long shots and set pieces. Kiraly was magnificent in qualifying and deserves his place as number one even at 40.
Hungary’s star quality is togetherness though, for sure.
What is Hungary’s style of play and usual formation? Would you describe them as more of an attacking team or more of a defensive team?
Definitely a defensive team. In a group containing Faroe Islands, Hungary only managed to score 11 goals in 10 qualifying games (and 3 of those came in one game versus Greece).
Hungary will set up in a 4-2-3-1 / 4-3-3 hybrid and defend with a deep back four, with two defensive midfielders sitting in front and a midfielder just ahead of them who will try and link with the lone striker. There will be two wingers out wide switching sides constantly. They’ll be aggressive and energetic, and will play long to the front man to chase it into the channels or up to his chest and feet. It won’t be pretty to watch but it’s the best chance Hungary have got if they want to compete against three technically superior sides.
Who plays in these positions completely depends on opposition, Bernd Storck will be very reactive
What are Hungary’s strong points?
Togetherness and work rate. It might sound boring and clichéd but at international level sometimes those two qualities are missing from the side. There are no stars, no egos, just a squad of mates looking to give everything for the cause.
What are Hungary’s weak points?
Quality. You probably would be able to guess that by the clubs the players play for. Only Laszlo Kleinheisler, Adam Szalai, Zoltan Stieber, Adam Bogdan and Norbert Balogh have had minutes in any of Europe’s “Top 5 Leagues” this season and none of them have been regular starters by any stretch - au contraire!
Even the most optimistic of Hungarian fans will worry that this lack of quality will be shown up on the big stage. Even Hungary’s “star” Balazs Dzsudzsak can’t make it into the Bursaspor first eleven!
What was the reaction to the Euro 2016 draw from Hungarian fans and the media?
The media, fans and players looked at the group quite favourably. They acknowledge that all three teams are superior to Hungary, but they believe that on a good day or on a Austria / Iceland / Portugal off day, there is a chance of getting a result against every side. The Hungarian FA have set a target of an ambitious 4 points.
How do you think Group F will finish?
It’s really hard to call. Obviously Hungary are the outsiders but I can see them scraping 4 points. I think Hungary’s ability to manage a game and their intense tactical preparation that they’ve been going under every time they meet may just tell. I don’t think they’ll be overawed; they have experience in the likes of Zoltan Gera, Balazs Dzsudzsak, Roland Juhasz and Gabor Kiraly and they have youth in Adam Nagy and Laszlo Kleinheisler.
I think they’ll lose the opener to Austria, win the next game against Iceland and scrape a draw against Portugal.
Portugal - 7
Austria - 6
Hungary - 4
Iceland - 0
Who do you think will win Euro 2016 and why?
I think Spain will win it. I think Germany are in disarray with all their injuries, I think France will wilt under the pressure of playing at home and I don’t think Belgium have got it in them under Wilmots to go all the way.
Spain have gone under the radar a bit after their awful World Cup but they still have enormous quality throughout their squad, and I just think even if they don’t play well they’re still very capable of winning games. It’s a pretty open tournament though, in my opinion. Maybe Ronaldo will lead you guys to glory!
Our thanks to Tomasz Mortimer. To keep track of Hungary’s Euro 2016 preparations (and all things Hungarian football) make sure you follow Tomasz’s excellent Twitter account @TMortimerFtbl.
Related: Portugal's Euro 2016 opponents - the lowdown on Austria
Related: Euro 2016 countdown. Opposition watch - Iceland
