The final of the playoffs of the Hungarian League started the way few expected.
Ferencvaros demolished OSC in the first game of the final – 18:9 and it is just one step away from a new title.
2021/22 Hungarian League, playoffs, final (best of three)
Ferencvaros – OSC 18:9 (3:1, 6:4, 5:3, 4:1)
Ferencvaros: Sz. Jansik 5, Ven. Vigvari 5, Varga 3, Damonte 3, Vamos 1, Ubovic 1.
OSC Budapest: Sziladi 3, Salamon 3, Manhercz 2, Harai 1.
The encounters between Ferencvaros and OSC in the regular season were very exciting (Ferencvaros recorded a narrow 7:6 victory at home, and the second duel ended in a 10:10 draw), so nobody could expect a one-sided contest in the final
Ferencvaros’ was without head coach Zsolt Varga in today’s match due to health problems. A few hours before the match Ferencvaros issued a statement:
“Due to his recurrent heart rhythm disorder, our head coach Zsolt Varga will not sit on the bench of FTC-Telekom Waterpolo in the first match of the final. Thus, a second coach Balazs Nyeki will temporarily take his place, and Norbert Madaras, section president, will be an assistant coach.
The club will provide continuous information about Zsolt Varga’s health.
The most important thing now is the health of our head coach. The team will also fight for Zsolt in tonight’s match. We hope he will recover as soon as possible!”
Ferencvaros’ fans in the stands had the banner with a message to Varga: “Get well coach”
The fact that Zsolt Varga had to miss the game was probably an additional stimulus for Ferencvaros’ players.
Nemanja Ubovic (Ferencvaros) and Kristof Sziladi (OSC) Photo by Laszlo Balogh/Total Waterpolo
The hosts took a flying start and jumped to a 3:0 lead. OSC got on the scoreboard only 12 seconds before the first break when Manhercz made it 1:3. But, Ferencvaros, led by Szilard Jansik and Vendel Vigvari, stretched the margin to five in the second period (8:3). The visitors reduced the gap to three (5:8), but Denes Varga beat the buzzer. In the last second of the first half, he converted a man-up for 9:5.
OSC reduced the gap to three goals twice (6:9 and 8:11) during the third quarter. However, the hosts scored three unanswered goals in the last 96 seconds of the quarter (Ubovic, Vigvari, Damonte) to enter the final period with a comfortable 14:8 advantage. The hosts didn’t slow down and recorded a nine-goal victory.
Krisztian Manhercz (OSC) Photo by Laszlo Balogh/Total Waterpolo
The second match is scheduled for May 18.
The playoffs for 3rd place (Szolnok – Vasas) begin tomorrow.
