A big derby opened the ninth round of the Hungarian Championships
This evening, Ferencvaros edged out OSC (9:8) and continued its winning streak, while OSC suffered a first defeat after eight consecutive victories.
Five weeks ago, Ferencvaros beat OSC 16:15 in the final of the Hungarian Cup. The league derby was very similar to the encounter in the Cup. In December, there were a few twists and turns. Today, OSC was never in front, but the game was open until the very end.
Ferencvaros led for most of the match. OSC equalized in the 31st minute (8:8). But, Ferencvaros scored a winner in its last possession. The heroes of the match were Denes Varga, who scored five goals, including the winner, and Fradi’s goalkeeper Daniel Szakonyi, who posted 14 saves.
Brothers and rivals: OSC’s coach Daniel Varga and Denes Varga All photos by Laszlo Balogh/Total Waterpolo
2022/23 Hungarian League, Day 9
Ferencvaros – OSC Budapest 9:8 (2:2, 2:1, 3:3, 2:2)
Ferencvaros: De. Varga 5, Merkulov 2, Jansik 1, Vadovics 1.
OSC Budapest: K.Manhercz 3, Salamon 2, Vin. Vigvari 2, Burian 1.
Ferencvaros is still without injured goalkeeper Soma Vogel and Vendel Vigvari. Still, the MVP of the European Championships, Szilard Jansik, returned to the team.
Szilard Jansik (FTC) and Marthon Toth (OSC)
In the first quarter, Ferencvaros took the lead twice, and OSC leveled on both occasions. Denes Varga opened the second period with two action goals to give the hosts a 4:2 advantage.
At the beginning of the third period, Krisztian Manhercz equalized (4:4), but Denes Varga replied in the next attack for 5:4 (18th minute). After that, there were no goals for a while. Two and a half minutes before the end of the third period, Denes Varga added his fourth goal. He found the net from the deep left, surprising OSC’s goalie Marton Levai with a tricky shot. Two goals separated the rivals again.
OSC halved the deficit to 5:6, 6:7, but OSC regained a 2-goal lead both times. Five minutes before the final buzzer, Vince Vigvari found the net for 7:8. In the following minutes, OSC missed a few chances to level the score, but Ferencvaros couldn’t find the net either.
Daniel Szakonyi (Ferencvaros)
Finally, a minute and 14 seconds before the end, Ferenc Salamon leveled with a man-up. Ferencvaros earned an extra player shortly after. Denes Varga converted that 6 on 5 with a nice shot with 28 seconds left on the clock. OSC had the last attack in the match. Two seconds before the end, Burian tried to equalize, but Merkulov blocked his shot.
The other matches of the 9th round are on Wednesday: KSI – UVSE, Szolnok – Sentes, Miskolc – Szeged, Eger – Kaposvar, BVSC – Honved, Vasas – PVSK.
1.Ferencvaros 9 – 27
2. OSC Budapest 9 – 24
3. Szolnok 8 – 22
4. Vasas 8 – 21
5. Honved 8 – 15
6. Eger 8 – 13
7. BVSC 8 – 10
8. Szeged 8 – 8
9. Miskolc 8 – 7
10. PVSK 8 – 7
11. Kaposvar 8 – 6
12. Szentes 8 – 3
13. UVSE 8 – 1
14. KSI 8 – 1
