The semifinals of the playoffs of the Hungarian League finished already after the first games. As in the previous season, the Champions League clubs, title-holder Ferencvaros and OSC Budapest, will play in the final.
OSC beat Vasas 11:6 in the semifinals today, while Ferencvaros was better than Honved.
According to the rules, the points won in the matches between the teams that meet in the semifinals are carried to the playoffs. The first team that collects seven points advances to the final.
OSC beat Vasas twice in the regular season. Ferencvaros defeated Honved in both encounters in the league. So, Ferencvaros and OSC needed just one win to finish the semis. Neither of the teams left the decision for the next games. They booked the tickets for the final already today.
The results from the regular season won’t be carried to the final and the 3rd-place playoffs.
2022/23 Hungarian League, Playoffs, Semifinals, Match 1
OSC Budapest – Vasas 11:6 (2:1, 3:1, 4:2, 2:2) – the final score in the points 9:0
OSC Budapest: Manhercz 5, Vin.Vigvari 3, E.Csacsovszky 1, Harai 1, Toth 1.
Vasas: Nagaev 2, Zernivary 1, Mezei, Konarik 1, Randjelovic 1.
Ferencvaros – Honved 11:4 (4:1, 2:1, 2:1, 3:1)– the final score in the points 9:0
Ferencvaros: De.Varga 2, Ven.Vigvari 2, Argyropoulos 2, Jansik 1, Nemet 1, A.Nagy 1, Molnar 1, Merkulov 1.
Honved: Kiss 1, Nyiri 1, Kevi 1, Zs.Ekler 1.
All photos by Laszlo Balogh
Vasas, the newly-crowned LEN Euro Cup champion, was never in front in the first Budapest derby in the semifinals. However, the game was an even contest for a quarter and a half. Vasas leveled at 1:1 and 2:2. In the middle of the second quarter, OSC’s attack, led by Krisztian Manhercz, started doing damage. Between the 12th and the 16th minute, the hosts produced a 4:0 run for a 6:2 lead. Of course, OSC’s defensive play deserves credit. Vasas was goalless for ten minutes. Konarik ended Vasas’ goalless phase by converting a penalty for 3:6. However, Vasas couldn’t come back. The hosts built a 5-goal lead by the end of the third quarter and practically secured themselves a spot in the final. They maintained the difference in the final period.
The second semifinal duel, Ferencvaros – Honved, offered no excitement. Ferencvaros left no chance to Honved, which qualified for the semifinals at the finish of the regular season. Honved took a 1:0 lead after just 34 seconds. The visitors converted their first man-up in the match. But, Ferencvaros responded with a 5:0 run. Just a second before the first break, Denes Varga hit the back of the net for 4:1 and from that point on, the difference was never smaller than three goal. In the 12th minute, Merkulov increased Ferencvaros’ advantage to four goals (5:1). At halftime, it stood 6:2. Ferencvaros didn’t slow until the end and cruised to a comfortable 11:4 victory.
Playoffs for 5th – 8th place, semifinals
MATCH 1
BVSC – Eger 9:10 (2:3, 2:3, 3:3, 2:1) – the score in the points 3:6
BVSC: M.Meszaros 4, Cs.Meszaros 1, Csapo 1, Gyarfas 1, Gal 1, Batizi 1.
Eger: Gab.Kovacs 2, Baksa 2, Krijestorac 2, Lorincz 1, Szalai 1, Golya 1, Murisic 1.
Szolnok – Miskolc 14:9 (4:2, 5:3, 2:3, 3:1) – the final score in the points 9:0
Szolnok: D.Jansik 2, Ger.Kovacs 2, Pasztor 2, Teleki 2, Schmolcz 2, Peto 1, Vamosi 1, Szeghalmi 1, Belenyesi 1.
Miskolc: Boroczky 2, Varkonyi 2, Brkic 2, Molnar 1, SMitula 1, Oltean 1.
Szolnok qualified for the 5th-place playoffs and the LEN Euro Cup. Likely, three Hungarian teams (ranked 4th – 6th in the league) will play in the LEN Euro Cup, since a Hungarian club will probably get the Champions League wild card.
Eger earned a valuable away win over BVSC in Budapest and leads in the series, but considering that all games between these two teams have been very close this season, it won’t be a surprise if BVSC prolongs the series.
Playoffs for places 9th – 12th, semifinals
MATCH 1
UVSE – PVSK Pecs 14:13 (1:2, 3:3, 1:1, 4:3, PSO 5:4)
UVSE: R. Bencz 3, Korban 3, Garancsy 2, Korbacs 2, K.Tamas 2, Ionescu 2.
PVSK Pecs: Kolozsi 4, T. Csorba 2, Szabo 2, Gaszt 2, Lajko 1, K.Pellei 1, Reisz 1.
Szeged – Kaposvar 11:7 (4:1, 2:3, 1:2, 4:1)
Szeged: Kurti 3, Santa 1, Boros 1, Baj 1, Kardos 1, Bobis 1., Lakatos 1, Leinweber 1, Porge 1.
Kaposvar: Vindisch 2, J. Berta 1, Juhasz-Szelei 1, F. Pellei 1, Horvath 1, Kakstedter 1
MATCH 2
PVSK – UVSE 9:11 (1:2, 1:2, 2:1, 3:2, PSO 2:4) – final score in the points 3:6
PVSK: Koloszi 3, Kereszturi 3, Lajko 1, Nemethy 1, Gaszt 1.
UVSE: R.Bencz 2 Ionescu Garancsy 1, Korbacs 1, Korenyi 1, Seeler 1, Besenyei 1, Szecsi
Kaposvar – Szeged 8:9 (1:1, 1:2, 2:1, 4:5) – final score in the points 2:8
Kaposvar: F. Pellei 2, Kakstedter 2, Juhasz-Szelei 1, Petrovski 1, A. Horvath 1, Langiewicz 1
Szeged: Kurti 2, Bobis 2, Boros 1, Baj 1, Gy. Toth 1, S.Lakatos 1, Leinweber 1.
The semifinals of the playofffs for the teams that finished the regular season close to the bottom of the table are over.
UVSE and Szeged will play for 9th place after hard-fought wins in the semifinals against PVSK Pecs and Kaposvar, respectively
