Hungarian Handball Dynasty in the Making: Fazekas Brothers Lead Next Generation to victory
Croatia, August 12, 2024 – A thrilling last-second goal by Máté Fazekas secured a dramatic 33-32 victory for Hungary’s U19 handball team against Austria at the World Youth Championship in Egypt, propelling them to the quarter-finals. The win continues a remarkable family legacy in Hungarian handball, with all three Fazekas brothers – Gergő, Máté, and the youngest, born in 2010 – following in the footsteps of their father, former goalkeeper Nándor Fazekas.
The Fazekas family story is quickly becoming a cornerstone of Hungarian handball. Gergő Fazekas, the eldest, already plays for the Hungarian adult national team and Wisła Płock in Poland. Máté, the hero of Monday’s match, is proving to be a standout player for the U19 squad, consistently delivering crucial performances. Even the youngest Fazekas is honing his skills as a goalkeeper, suggesting a potential future where all three brothers could compete together on the same team – a dream the family openly shares.
Máté Fazekas’s game-winning goal against Austria came with just two seconds remaining. Receiving the ball, the 6’7″ right-handed shooter unleashed a powerful shot that found the back of the net, sparking celebrations amongst the Hungarian team and fans. The decisive moment can be viewed here: https://fb.watch/BpJPLuvlcz/.Hungary has dominated its group stage, defeating Major (45-20) on August 6th, Kosovo (37-28) on August 8th, and Switzerland (39-29) on August 9th. This undefeated run continued with the nail-biting victory over Austria on August 11th. The team now faces Sweden on August 12th at 11:45 PM local time, nonetheless of the outcome, they have already secured a quarter-final berth. Their next opponent in the quarter-finals remains to be determined.Adding to the burgeoning handball talent within the Hungarian ranks, the team also features Márkó Eklemovics, son of former handball star Nikola Eklemovics, demonstrating a growing trend of second-generation players contributing to the national program.
U19 Men’s handball Championship – Hungarian National Team Results:
Group stage:
August 6: Hungary vs. Major – 45-20
August 8: Kosovo vs. Hungary – 28-37
August 9: Hungary vs.Switzerland – 39-29
Semi-Finals:
August 11: Hungary vs. Austria – 33-32
* August 12: Sweden vs. Hungary – 11:45 PM (local time)
The success of the Fazekas brothers and Eklemovics highlights the strength of youth development programs in Hungary and signals a shining future for Hungarian handball on the international stage. Fans will be watching closely to see if this family-driven talent can lead Hungary to championship glory.
