Official Europa League Matchday Thread #8. Nottingham Forest v Ferencvárosi TC. 29/01/2026. 20:00

["...in the top one"]

Hungarian football - and Hungarian sport in general, is a puzzling one to me. They seem to have been consistently underperforming against comparable countries for a very long time now.

Hungarian league football has been on a downward's trend for a long time, basically since the Wall fell. Underinvestment in player development and infrastructure was the original reason.

However, football is a recent political plaything and has caused much consternation for many in the country with ownership from political "cronies" (Ferencvaros being the main one). The ruling Orban party for the last 15 years (he is mad on the game and seems to support all the teams who get into Europe) has spent a national fortune on ground renevation so most of the league clubs play in shiny stadiums in front of tiny crowds. Don't forget the population is tiny (10m - a million more than London!). Less focus has been on player development though this may change with newer national structures. (Szoboszlai was not part of any structure - more down to his dad! though Toth who now plays for B'mouth is one of the newer breed). Hungarian coaches are getting better too (Dardai at Herta and Szolt Low as assitant to Tuchel for example more recently).

Credit though to the national team for qualifying for recent Europas and doing well in them, though the world cup has been a bridge too far since 1986, sadly (and following a very odd game v USSR where the team played like Forest v Braga!!)

Hungary actually do really well (male and female) in other less UK focused sports. Water polo, handball, swimming and fencing - for example - where they are top world performers. Per million population they remain very high on the list of Olympic winners so it is not really doom and gloom!

 

[Notcher]

Hungarian league football has been on a downward's trend for a long time, basically since the Wall fell.

That must've been one hell of a free kick

 

[Master Yates]

It is mate, the thing is I've been calling for a 3 man midfield since August. I'm surprised you've not heard me banging that drum through your living room window.

Don't rewrite history Notch

 

[uptight9]

Hungary actually do really well (male and female) in other less UK focused sports. Water polo, handball, swimming and fencing - for example - where they are top world performers. Per million population they remain very high on the list of Olympic winners so it is not really doom and gloom!

True, they are one of the best teams in the World in water polo and have been for decades. We (Greece) have often had great teams that have won medals, but Hungary (and Croatia) are always the toughest opponents.

 

[uptight9]

That must've been one hell of a free kick

Underrated comment.

 

[Notcher]

Don't rewrite history Notch

Me: Don't bite, don't bite, don't bite

 

[Flaggers]

The kick off question stands.

Why was the initial kickoff taken from about 3 yards to the left of the centre spot?

 

[Captain Sinister]

Hungarian football - and Hungarian sport in general, is a puzzling one to me. They seem to have been consistently underperforming against comparable countries for a very long time now.

I think the Government intervention for far too long was key, and also there was isolationism to protect the Magyar people from western liberal pollution.
I played a few amatuer games when I was over there, and the standard of those amateur sides was far above my own, but as an Englishman out there
i was afforded far too much respect!

 

[Captain Sinister]

Has anyone found highlights from last night on line?

 

[king_congo_red]

Has anyone found highlights from last night on line?

 

[Notcher]

Has anyone found highlights from last night on line?

Some shorter highlights here.

Or some extended highlights here.

 

[Colin Addison]

Robbie Keane should sub himself on

Sat on the front row in the Main Stand last night behind him. What a waste of space, no encouragement whatsoever, just half hearted tirades at the forth official.

 

[Worsley Red]

I'd advise anyone to avoid the DAZN 14-minute highlight package on YouTube. They didn't even bother editing a voice-over for it. They literally just chopped up random bits of the live version.

 

[Captain Sinister]

Robbie Keane should sub himself on

Too busy powderng his nose!

Edit: apologies, robbie... the nose powderer was Robbie Fowler.

 

["...in the top one"]

True, they are one of the best teams in the World in water polo and have been for decades. We (Greece) have often had great teams that have won medals, but Hungary (and Croatia) are always the toughest opponents.

I watched the semi-final in the mens (European Championship in Serbia) couple of days ago. Good game but heck, I think I understand most sports, but I have no idea about the rules of waterpolo and they even have VAR in it! They are super-fit though!

 

[YellowBelly Red]

Didn't see or hear of any trouble in the city from their fans. They all seemed to be in good humour, as they were being escorted down to The Nest at about 5.30pm.

Just a shame they didn't play in their green and white kit.

 

["...in the top one"]

Fair play to Keane's assessment afterwards (who is a decent coach but nothing more - he enjoys being a big fish in a little pond). We think the PL has gone a bit soft recently but the rest of europe still view it as the pinacle of league competition and his comments ring true about being bossed and mistakes being punished.

 

[ozthecoz]

wasn't looking forward to the game that much as it was bloody cold and was expecting a bore fest but came away very happy after 4 goals - only just thawed out mind you.

Bloke next to me must have been mad .. was wearing shorts and gloves if you are on here

 

["...in the top one"]

Didn't see or hear of any trouble in the city from their fans. They all seemed to be in good humour, as they were being escorted down to The Nest at about 5.30pm.

Just a shame they didn't play in their green and white kit.

One knickname Fradi has is the "green eagles" and an eagle flies to the centre spot each home match so maybe that why that kick wasn't taken from the right place (though I did see this being at the ground).

I would have really loved to have watched Forest at their superb ground in Budapest (you can see it on the way from the airport to the city centre). A 4-0 home win will do though ;o)

 

[Worsley Red]

Is the draw live on TNT?

 

[YellowBelly Red]

Is the draw live on TNT?

Yes, just about to start.

 

[ozthecoz]

Yes, just about to start.

wasnt the guy with the glasses on the wing for Fenerthingy last night

 

[I'm Red Till Dead]

They are not a bad side, not many of these European clubs are.

I think they said on Radio Nottingham that they had sold 5 of their first team players in the transfer window.

 

[ozthecoz]

Going to Istanbul then

 

[Worsley Red]

so we can't meet villa until final?
Ah. Villa semi.