World Cup Nostalgia – Magical Magyars

DBasia.news – Talking about the World Cup or the European Cup, the teams that will be discussed are of course Argentina, Brazil, France, England, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and others.

Not much has been discussed about a country nicknamed the Magyars, namely the Hungarian national team. This is understandable considering that they are currently ranked 37th in FIFA and even from 1990 to 2022 have never qualified for the World Cup.

In the squad that is currently coached by Marco Rossi, there is no name that has stood out, only one player was highlighted as he is talented and has a bright future, he is RB Leipzig midfielder, Dominik Szoboszlai.

It is not surprising that the public does not discuss much about the Hungarian national team. However, as with other national teams that have their own history and interesting records in the past, so does Hungary.

Just like Super Depor which referred to Deportivo La Coruna in the past, the Hungarian national team was once famous throughout the world and also Europe with the nickname Magical Magyars.

Total Football Prototype

Going back to the mid 1950’s. The Hungarian national team was coached by Gusztav Sebes and in a friendly match in 1950, Hungary defeated Poland in Warsaw with a landslide score of 5-2.

The test match should be underestimated as it is nothing more than a fight to improve FIFA rankings, or preparation for a major tournament, but that is not the case when talking about Hungary’s victory.

The reason is that it started a record of 31 games without losing which lasted for four years and one month. Yes, that’s where Gusztav Sebes’ team felt the pleasure of winning from a beautiful game.

The momentum was maintained until the world finally saw the power of Hungary in 1952. At the 1952 Olympics Hungary defeated Yugoslavia in the final with a score of 2-0.

“I feel relieved,” Sebes told FIFA. “We have done what we had to do, and we did it with style. Suddenly the international press showered us with praise. The Olympics put us on the map.”

The Hungarian national team midfielder at that time, Ferenc Puskas, remembered well how the public celebrated the gold medal like the World Cup trophy.

“On the train home, as soon as we left Prague, the train kept stopping at each station to allow the crowds to greet us. The view at Keleti station when we arrived in Budapest was incredible,” recalled Puskas.

“There were about 100,000 people crammed into the surrounding streets to celebrate! We were so excited. It was our first big win and we were young.”

Sebas used a basic 2-3-3-2 formation which evolved into a 4-2-4 and this was a precursor to current basic tactics such as 4-4-2. This tactic led Hungary to continue to speed up beating their opponents to have a record of 31 consecutive unbeaten matches.

Hungary not only play ball but also entertain with every attack they build. Puskas believes that offensive, freedom of position, and entertaining games are the prototype for total football or Dutch offensive football (which was implemented in the 1970s).

“We were already a great team, but during the Olympics our football started flowing with real excitement. It was the prototype of the ‘total football’ played by the Dutch (in the 1970s). We had freedom of position and when we attacked everyone people attack, from defenders to attackers,” stated Puskas.

One of the media, the Observer, even inserted it in one of its articles with the title “The Magnificent Magyars are sexy and made Johan Cruyff’s team in 1974 appear stiff.”

Sebes also has the right analogy in viewing his team’s game: socialist football. Socialists are the perpetrators, while the ideology of socialism has a goal meaning to create a society with common property rights, so that it is not only controlled by certain people or institutions.

In that sense, Sebes briefly saw Hungarian football with a strong togetherness both in attack and defense. Collectivity is also the power of Magical Magyars.

“Instead of the magic box of half-backs and the forwards playing alone in exhausted conditions, it was decided the work should be shared among the team,” said Sebes.

“When we attack, everyone attacks and in defense it’s the same,” added Puskas.

Battle of Berne and Miracle of Bern

Moving on from the 1952 Olympics Hungary played a match labeled “Match of the Century” in 1953. Again, past friendly matches were more than just friendly matches.

Hungary played against England and the Three Lions have never lost in England (the match was held at Wembley). But the 110,000 spectators in the stadium witnessed how the Hungarian magic worked.

The 4-1 score in the first half and in the second half ended 6-3. Suddenly the results immediately became big news in Europe. A year later, with the great spotlight on Hungary they appeared at the 1954 World Cup which was held in Switzerland.

In group 2 Hungary destroyed South Korea with a score of 9-0 and beat West Germany 8-3, then entered the quarter-final phase they faced Brazil in a match titled Battle of Berne.

The way the fight really seemed like a big fight. Both teams play beautiful football, Brazil with jogo bonito and Hungary with socialist football. The game ended 4-2 for Hungary’s victory but that left a story.

Many violations, free kicks, kicks to the opponent to force the referee to expel three players.

“I think it’s going to be the biggest game I’ve ever seen. I’m on top of the world. Whether politics and religion have anything to do with it, I don’t know, but they behaved like animals, it’s a shame,” stated England referee Arthur Ellis regarding the fight.

“It was a terrible match. In the current climate, so many players will be sent off, the game will be abandoned. My only thought is that I am determined to finish it.”

Hungary’s journey continues to the final and many already see them as favourites. However, a different fate was conveyed, Hungary had a 2-0 lead from goals from Puskas and Zoltan Czibor.

West Germany bounced back and the real miracle worked for them with a comeback through Max Morlock’s goals and Helmut Rahn’s brace. West Germany won 3-2 and that ended the legendary Magical Magyars story with their unbeaten record.

Stories have passed but Magical Magyars will always be in the history of world football. Along with the legendary coach, Gusztav Sebes and key players, Hungarian icons at that time such as Ferenc Puskas, Sandor Kocsis, and Nandor Hidegkuti.