Kicks & Mortar

Weekday cup football 🇭🇺

Budapest Honvéd 🔴⚫1  v 0 Diósgyőr VTK 🔴⚪

Only one team from outside Hungary's top flight has reached the semi finals of the Hungarian Cup and that's the old giants Honvéd. A pretty average 1-0 victory means Diósgyőr slip deeper into despair in a miserable season for the lads from Miskolc.

It was a great turnout at the Bozsik arena for Thursday evening cup football, but the vibes around Honvéd are all positive and the ultras are loud! Cruising at the top of the 2nd division, this cup run is showing they are ready for a tilt in the top flight next season. They will host Zalagaerseg in the semis in what's going to be a seriously feisty game on and off the pitch.

As for Diósgyőr, another weak performance with the fans boycotting has them facing the trapdoor to the second division and now no cup to fight for. Lamin Colley was the only player to fight tonight, and that's not enough to turn this sinking ship around.

↔️  Budapest Honvéd 🔴⚫ v Diósgyőr VTK 🔴⚪
🏆  🇭🇺 Hungarian Cup 
🏟️  Bozsik Aréna
👥  8370
🏗️  2021
💰€47 million
🏙️  Kispest, Budapest 🇭🇺

 

FK 1899 Szeged SZEOL 🔵⚫ V Szentesi Kinizsi SZITE 🔴🔵

3 years later and I finally find pictures from a county league game that my wife was very delighted to go to as part of a romantic weekend away to Szeged!

While they only play in the county leagues, FK 1899 Szeged SZEOL is the cultural successor to the original club of the town. SzAK was the original Szeged club which merged over time with the university team to become SZEOL which played as high as NB1 during the 70s and 80s. In the chaotic world of Szeged's football landscape the club continues to survive!

This game was basically 2 teams versus the wind. SZEOL won on the pitch, but frostbite was the real winner.

↔️  FK 1899 Szeged SZEOL 🔵⚫ 2-1  Szentesi Kinizsi SZITE 🔴🔵
🏆  🇭🇺 Csongrád County League
🏟️  SZEOL SC Szalai "Dzsinó" István Sports Complex
👥  ~500
🏗️  2022
🏙️  Szeged, Csongrád County 🇭🇺

 

The league is back 🔵🔴🇭🇺

Csepel SC 🔵🔴 3-0 🟡🔵 Hódmezővásárhely

🇸🇰 Hungarians Vs Slovakians

DAC 1904 Dunajská Streda 🟡🔵 v Slovan Bratislava 🔵⚪

Where Hungary's borders really depend on who you ask. One thing is for sure, even though you may be in Slovakia, at a DAC game you are certainly in Hungary.

DAC proudly represent the Hungarian community in modern Slovakia particularly in the town of Dunaszerdahely. From the language, to the songs and the thousands who travel from Hungary to watch their games - DAC has become a proud representation of Hungary. 

The pre game ritual of everyone in the stands singing the ballad " " is moving. The lyrics are about the feeling of loss and despair of Hungarians detached from their homeland after The Treaty of Trianon, and it is sung by all with passion and heart.

Not only is DAC and Slovan a rivalry game, but it was also the battle between first and second in the league. The first half was intense and physical but with Slovan on top. A red card for a dangerous tackle against DAC sealed Slovan's dominance and showed they are still the team to beat in Slovakia this season.

The MOL Aréna is a solid modern ground. It has a simple design but with a big crowd and a nice effort to brand the ground and give it a bit of colour was impressive. 

↔️   DAC 1904 Dunajská Streda 🟡🔵 v Slovan Bratislava 🔵⚪
🏆  🇸🇰 Slovak Premier Division 
🏟️  MOL Aréna 
👥  12700
🏗️  2019
🏙️  Dunaszerdahely, Slovakia 🇸🇰

 

The Battle of Délvidék 🇷🇸🇭🇺

FK Backa Topola 🔵⚫ 0 v 2 FK Vojvodina ⚪🔴

For some places, national identity is pretty simple - you are from the country where you are born. But to be Hungarian doesn't always mean to be from inside the borders of Hungary today. 

War and treaties have reshaped the map in this part of the world, and for Hungary this has meant millions of it's people now live in a country other than their own. This is what makes TSC so special - the club representing those born in Serbia Vojvodina (or Délvidék for Hungarians) who are Hungarian.

A trip to Topolya was in order for one of the biggest games in northern Serbia as TSC hosted Vojvodina from Novi Sad at the TSC Arena. The game was rubbish quality, with Vojvodina never looking overly troubled, but in truth it was a game of few chances. It's pretty clear this season will be a scrap for TSC and the aim will be survival and not the European places. Vojvodina keep rolling and are not too far away from the sharp end of the league.

The TSC Arena has to be one of the better new build stadiums around. Outside the roof, columns and lights are all striking. The capacity is a sensible size, the inside looks great, and the shallow home end with walls to the roof really captures the atmosphere well. 

↔️  Topolya TSC 🔵⚫ v FK Vojvodina 🔴⚪
🏆  🇷🇸 Serbian Superliga
🏟️  TSC Arena
👥  4500
🏗️  2021
🏙️  Backa Topolya, Serbia 🇷🇸

 

Nigeria 🇳🇬 - 🇩🇿 Algeria 

Ever since I was a little kid watching AFCON on Eurosport it was always a dream to watch the tournament. Finall I got to go! A trip to Marrakech to see the Super Eagles of Nigeria soar against Algeria made for a perfect weekend.

Morocco is a class host country. They are totally obsessed about football and their friendliness makes it a great spot for a tournament. Fans will be treated to a great experience in 2030 for sure.

The Grande Stade de Marrakech is on the northern outskirts of the city. It's a bit of a trek out and a total nightmare to return from after the game. The ground itself still has a running track though it will be removed by the time the world cup comes around. 

That said the stadium is a statement ground. Its geometrical design is like the old city walls, with the lights looking a bit like the mosque minarets around the city. In a world where almost every new ground is identical this was a nice change. 

The game itself was very one sided. The Algerians were more interested in complaining to the ref than playing football. Zidane's son in the Algeria net was s**t, and the Nigerians really ripped Algeria apart at will. Nigeria have gone from a failed world cup qualifying to deserving afcon semi finalist. Props to the Algerian fans who created an amazing atmosphere though.

↔️  Nigeria 🇳🇬 2 - 0 🇩🇿 Algeria 
🏆  AFCON
🏟️  Grande Stade de Marrakech 
👥  45240
🏗️  2011
🏙️  Marrakech, Morocco 🇲🇦

🇸🇰 European Night in the away end

Slovan Bratislava 🔵⚪ 2 - 1 Rayo Vallecano 🔴⚪

A trip Hungary's former capital Pozsony for a Conference League game between Slovan and Rayo Vallecano. The lads from Vallecas in Madrid were out to enjoy their European journey, but on the pitch the performance was poor and Slovan held on for a comfortable win.

The best thing about the Tehelné pole stadium was the stewards and police having a bit of sense and letting away fans in without checking tickets! Another carbon copy ground, but in fairness it held a decent atmosphere. The old ground nearby looks like a gem though, Slovan should be playing there.

Shout out to the Bukaneros of Rayo whom created a great atmosphere in the city and stadium last night, shame the result didn't come too

↔️  Slovan Bratislava 🔵⚪ 2 - 1 Rayo Vallecano 🔴⚪
🏆  🇪🇺 Conference League
🏟️  Tehelné pole
👥  22500
🏗️  1939/ 2019
🏙️  Bratislava, Slovakia 🇸🇰

 

The Greatest Game 

Hungary 🇭🇺 2 - 3 🇮🇪 Ireland 

I can't even put this into words. The heart and passion shown by the boys in green was special. The impossible came true, Ireland march on to the playoffs. Pure passion and heart saw us over the line. 

Saint Troy once again made a miracle happen. He's a legend for eternity. We'll tell our grandchildren about this one.

As always the Hungarian fans created a brilliant atmosphere, but it was never going to stop the boys in green. It was a game that lived up to the occasion, venue and pressure.

Onwards to the playoffs



Hungary 🇭🇺 2 - 3 🇮🇪 Ireland 
🏆 🌎 World Cup Qualifier final round 
🏟️  Puskás Aréna 
👥  67215
🏗️  2019
🏙️  Budapest, Hungary 🇭🇺

🇭🇺 Autumn on the Island

Csepel SC 🔵🔴 3 v 1 BKV Előre 🟡🔵
The greatest stadium in the world looks good no matter the season. A solid 3-1 for Csepel against Budapest side BKV Előre.
Great to see the Irish fans down before the big game tomorrow. Top afternoon

↔️ Csepel SC 🔵🔴 v BKV Előre 🟡🔵
🏆 🇭🇺 NB.3
🏟️ Béke téri Stadion
👥 12000
🏗️ 1939
🌆 Csepel, Budapest, Hungary

#21

🇭🇺 Biggest ground energy

Békéscsaba Előre II 🟣⚪ v Csepel TC 🔵🔴

Usually the second teams play their matches on a training pitch, but luckily Békéscsaba II play in the main stadium! This was a nice surprise after the long trip to the far south west of Hungary for this game. 

The Kórház utcai Stadion (Hospital Street stadium) looks straight out of the 1970s on the outside, where the structure of the old southeast stand is uncovered right by the road. The ground was originally used in 1914 but has had multiple renovations since then. Most notably, the ground was redeveloped in 1974 for promotion to the first division. In 2017, work began reconstructing the main stand. 

Békéscsaba's first team is currently in the second Division, but from the mid 70s was a regular top division team. In 1970 the town administration folded smaller clubs in the town into Békéscsaba Előre and from there promotion to NB1 followed. The last few years have seen Békéscsaba settle into being a standard NB2 team.

This early Sunday morning match ended 2-1 to Csepel. All 3 goals in the first half including a penalty in front of the traveling fans made it a worthwhile trip to southwest for Csepel!

↔️  Békéscsaba Előre II 🟣⚪ v Csepel TC 🔵🔴
🏆  🇭🇺 3rd Division South West 
🏟️  Kórház utcai Stadion
👥  4963
🏗️  1914
🏙️  Békéscsaba, Békés County, Hungary 🇭🇺

 

🇭🇺 European Upset!!

ETO Győr 🇭🇺 🟢⚪ v Rapid Vienna 🇦🇹 ⚪🟢

One of Austria's biggest club crossed the border to Hungary and will be going back having learnt a lesson. Rapid Vienna came to Győr as favourites but in a high quality game, it was the Hungarians who pulled the upset off. 2-1 was a deserved result from ETO.

ETO Park definitely is not a looker but it definitely is unique in Hungary. 2 big two-tiered stands on each sideline are simple and large but the ends of the stadiums are fairly hideous. One end is a hotel, the other is the back of a nondescript building. For this Conference League game, the away fans were up in the corner of one stand with the rest of the entire stand closed. This has really limited the capacity and atmosphere which no doubt would have been rocking if the other side of the stadium was full. The pitch also looked spotty due to fungal issues.

ETO Győr are the biggest club from Győr, a city West of Budapest halfway to Austria. The 4 time league winners also played in the European Cup semi finals in 1965 where they lost out to eventual winners Benfica with the all time great Eusabio.

↔️  ETO Győr 🟢⚪ 2 v 1 Rapid Vienna ⚪🟢
🏆  🇪🇺 Conference League 3rd qualifying round
🏟️  ETO Park
👥  16000
🏗️  2008
🏙️  Győr , Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 🇭🇺

 

🇭🇺 Reebok Stadium Hungary Edition

Szolnoki MÁV 🔵⚪ v Csepel 🔵🔴

You ordered a Modern stadium but bought it on Temu. At least the large central Hungary town of Szolnok has a ground to be proud of! This stadium is far too big and ambitious looking for a now 4th tier football team but still another great away day with Csepel in the souteast division in 2024/25 season.

The first stadium on the site was built in 1974, and hosted a Hungarian Cup final in the 1980s as well as an international against Switzerland. Gradually in the 2010s the old ground was demolished and replaced by the very modern design. Reopened in 2016, it was the first new stadium under the new government's national stadium redevelopment plan.

Szolnoki MÁV was founded in 1910 by chief engineer in national train compan for railway workers. Szolnok is a major rail transport and maintenance hub in central Hungary and the original football ground was close to the station prior to 1974. Szolnok were also Hungarian Cup winners in 1941.

After a relegation at the end of the 24/25 season, Szolnok are playing county level football this season. For a club with great facilities and a proud history it's been a sad decline. They even needed 3rd division BVSC Zugló to donate money to keep the club alive this year.

It was a bad 1-0 defeat for Csepel in this one in front of no more than 30 Szolnok fans.

↔️   Szolnoki MÁV 🔵⚪ v Csepel 🔵🔴
🏆  🇭🇺 3rd division Southeast 24/25
🏟️  Tiszaligeti Stadion
👥  3437
🏗️  1974
🏙️  Szolnok, Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok , Hungary 🇭🇺