The history of the Hungarian national team is full of memorable matches against Iceland, just think of the 2012 Olympic quarter-finals or the 2020 European Championship victory, when the Hungarian goalkeepers allowed only six goals in the second half.
The current World Cup group match also adds to the lineup, because the Icelanders, who were playing on their quasi-home field – around 4,000 people accompanied their team – quickly gained a confident advantage, but in the last moments, they lost confidence and lost. Iceland was originally the most likely, their inner trio of Magnusson-Palmarsson-Kristjansson would be accepted by any big nation. The Hungarian captain, Chema Rodriguez, talked about it before the tournament, we might have a chance if we keep the opponent to 26-27 goals. It didn’t work against Iceland, but the Hungarian victory came together. But let’s not rush too far ahead, because a lot has happened up until then.
The Hungarians started the match, managed by Roland Mikler and Máté Lékai in the goal, Gábor Ancsin and Zoltán Szita were the two crossers, Bence Bánhidi in the center, Pedro and Bóka Bendegúz on the two wings. Elisson responded to Sita’s goal with three in just over a minute, the Veszprém winger mercilessly punished the lost balls.
By the end of the fifth minute, we managed to eliminate this deficit, it was 4-4, because Bánhidi was accurate from the substitute’s position and also fought through a seventh. Even by the end of the tenth minute, the fearsome pace did not subside, the scoreboard showed 7-7, each side had one save.
The first quarter hour ended with Iceland leading 9-8, Palmarsson jumped up the middle with a man advantage and fired into the bottom corner. Lékai’s seventh was caught by Gustavsson, and they made no mistakes from the wing either. The Hungarian offensive game noticeably stalled, Magnusson changed the score to 12-8 first with a seven and then at the end of a rush. At that time, Márton Székely, who had been replaced, could not save either.
Due to the four-goal deficit, Chema had to ask for time in the 20th minute.
The expected Hungarian goal didn’t happen, but Palmarsson made no mistake, it was Iceland’s fifth goal in a row, and that’s when the biggest difference between the two teams emerged. At the end of the half, Iceland kept this advantage, Bodo was unlucky with his crosses, and Gustavsson not only saved but also shot the ball into the empty net. The pair of referees, the Bonaventura brothers, had some controversial rulings, but Iceland showed that they can play much faster than the Hungarian team, and they could not be stopped. They were more dynamic, more accurate, and played better.
The second half was opened by Ancsin’s goal and Székely’s save, then Magnusson sold a seven. In the 34th minute, the opponent already led by six (20-14), and in the 40th minute, under the leadership of Lékai, the team reduced the deficit by two goals. In the 44th minute, with Rosta’s penalty, it was 25-21 to the rival, the Hungarian defensive wall then came together almost like magic, and Rosta flew the ball in the air, which bounced off the goalkeeper, into the goal with a beautiful movement.
It was as if this wonderful goal had brought about the turning point.
Iceland’s game came to a standstill, they overvaried their attack with shots, Ilics made a great shot on the other side. Captain Gudmundsson called a time-out at 25-23 as the idea was lost from his team’s play.
Vidarsson scored and Elísson didn’t do himself the favor of making a mistake either. This was answered by Bánhidi and Szita, and the last 10 minutes started with 27-25.
From here, we can see how the final result developed per attack:
- After good Hungarian defense, Hallgrimsson performed a great feat. The bouncing ball went to the side, so the team could continue to attack. Chema asked for time, brought in Hanusz, but he couldn’t find the gap from the 7-6 game.
- Minus one instead of three, Elisson scored from the wing, but there was a way back from here too, because Bodó responded with a cross.
- After stealing the ball, Bóka ran down the field, 28-27
- Mikler defended, Bánhidi fought for seven, the other linebacker, Rosta, snapped it in, 28-28
- Elisson’s shot was saved by Mikler, Bodó took the lead from a distance. (28-29) At that point there were only four minutes left.
- Mikler defended again, Bodó was accurate again. (28-30) At that point you could already feel that this match had to be won.
- Iceland shot off the post from the last attack, thus the two-goal Hungarian success remained.
On Monday, Portugal awaits the Hungarian team that lost to Iceland in the first round. If the Hungarian team wins that match, they can take four points to the semi-finals and keep their Olympic dreams alive.
Iceland – Hungary 28 – 30
Hungarian scorers: Mikler – Bóka 3, Szita 4, Lékai 2, Bánhidi 3, Ancsin 6, Rodríguez 4, substitutions: Sipos, Bodó 3, Hanusz, Ilics 1, Székely, Ligetvári, Rosta 4
