Last up in our assessment of the Group F teams is Hungary. Bernd Storck’s side get their tournament underway against Austria on Tuesday June 14 at 5pm before taking on Iceland four days later at 5pm and group favourites Portugal on Wednesday June 22 at 8pm.
Road to Qualification
Hungary finished third in a qualifying group behind Northern Ireland and Romania, winning four and drawing four of their ten fixtures. After scoring just 11 times and conceding nine, their goal difference of just +2 is the worst amongst any qualifier, though it’s worth bearing in mind that Storck was only handed the reins with four matches remaining.
Prior to his appointment, Hungary had scored just five goals and conceded three times in six matches, with four clean sheets accrued. After Storck was promoted from his role as head coach of the Hungary Under 20s, the national side looked far more attack-minded and bagged six goals in the remaining four matches, though also conceded six times and managed a single shut-out.
Pitted against Norway in the play-offs, Storck guided his team to a 1-0 away win before a 2-1 home triumph sealed Hungary’s progress to a major international tournament for the first time in 30 years.
In terms of recent friendlies under the new man in charges, the Magyars drew with Croatia (1-1) and Ivory Coast (0-0) prior to losing 2-0 to Germany on Saturday evening, though that loss to Joachim Lowe’s men was only their second in the last nine matches under Storck.
Most Appearances Balazs Dzsudzsak (12), Tamas Kadar (11), Attila Fiola, Gabor Kiraly (10), Zoltan Gera, Roland Juhasz, Nemanja Nikolic (9), Akos Elek, Tamas Priskin, Adam Szalai, Daniel Tozser (8), Krisztian Nemeth (7)
Most goals Daniel Bode, Krisztian Nemeth, Tamas Priskin (2)
Most assists Akos Elek, Tamas Kadar (2)
The Key Targets
Bursaspor wide man Balazs Dzsudzsak is the clear standout candidate for those eyeing up Hungary’s options. Priced at 6.5 in Uefa, he produced more than double the number of shots and attempts on target than any team-mate over the qualifiers, though his penchant for a long range effort means that just six of his shots arrived inside the box and saw him score just once over 12 appearances. The number one for key passes, crosses and dead-ball duties, he also looks a valid option in the DraftKings game. Dzsudzsak recently recovered from injury to prove his fitness in time for the tournament and netted the equaliser in the recent draw against Croatia.
Handed a call-up for the first play-off match against Norway, Laslo Kleinheisler vindicated his manager’s decision by netting the winner that day and has started five successive matches – a feat only matched by Dzsudzsak amongst Hungary’s attackers. Priced at just 5.0, his recent numbers suggest he could be worthy budget option in the centre of the park – Kleinheisler is neck-and-neck with Dzsudzsak for both attempts on goal and chances created over the last three friendlies.
Former West Brom man Zoltan Gera brings a wealth of experience to the centre of the park. The veteran has the all-round numbers to suggest he is one to consider for DraftKings – second only to Dzsudzsak for total attempts and shots on target, he was third and fourth for successful tackles and interceptions thanks to his central midfield berth.
At the back, a single clean sheet in eight is hardly encouraging and should steer most managers well clear. Regardless, right-back Attila Fiola played ten times over the qualifiers and comes in at 5.0 to Tamas Kadar’s 5.5 – the former was first for successful tackles by some distance and second for interceptions, which indicates he may be best-suited to the DraftKings game.
The Long Shots
Up top, Adam Szalai has now started each of the last couple of friendlies and looks to have edged ahead in the race for the lone striker role in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation. Priced at 6.5 in Uefa, he’s scored eight times in 32 internationals though has struggled for form of late and may be a punt too far.
Adam Lang played no part in the qualifiers but, like Kleinheisler, has benefitted from Storck’s decision to promote players from the youth set-up. At a price of 4.5, Lang has started four successive matches and offers the cheapest option amongst Hungary’s backline regulars.
Intriguingly, Lang’s fellow defender Adam Pinter has been selected in the centre of the park in the previous couple of friendlies. Priced at just 4.0, Pinter has produced three efforts inside the box – more than any team-mate over the last three matches – and could be a real under the radar out of position enabler if he holds onto that role.
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Further Analysis
Group A – Albania, France, Romania, Switzerland.
Group B England, Russia, Slovakia, Wales.
Group C Germany, Northern Ireland, Poland, Ukraine.
Group D Croatia, Czech Republic, Spain, Turkey.
Group E Belgium, Italy, Republic of Ireland, Sweden.
