Ferencvaoros defended the crown of the Hungarian champion after two games in the playoffs’ final.
Ferencvaros defeated OSC 8:6 in the second game of the final, played in the “Imre Nyeki Pool” and won its 25th title in the national championships. Now, “Fradi” has just one title fewer than the record-holder, Ujpest.
Ferencvaros finished the season in the Hungarian competitions unbeaten. It played 29 matches in the national league, recording 28 wins and one tie (against OSC a few months ago). Ferencvaros won the Hungarian Cup with six victories in as many matches.
Unlike the first game, the second duel of the final didn’t produce turns. Ferencvaros was almost always in front (OSC leveled just twice – 1:1 and 2:2). Even though one team led almost the entire match, it was an intense game. OSC didn’t surrender and chased Ferencvaros until the very end. Still, it couldn’t end its winless streak in the matches with Ferenvaros that has lasted more than two years.
OSC Budapest All photos by Laszlo Balogh/Total Waterpolo
2022/23 Hungarian League, Final (best of three), Match 2
OSC Budapest – Ferencvaros 6:8 (0:1, 2:2, 1:3, 3:2) – the score in the series 0:2
OSC Budapest: Levai, Angyal 2, K.Manhercz, Varnai, Salamon 1, Csacsovszky, Dala, Toth 2, Vin.Vigvari 1, Burian, Bundschuh, Harai, Egressy, Bisztritsanyi. Head coach: Da.Varga.
Ferencvaros: Vogel, Molnar, Pohl, Merkulov, Argyropoulos 3, Vin.Varga, Fekete 2, Ven.Vigvari 1, Nemet, De.Varga, Jansik 1, Damonte 1, A.Nagy 1, Szakonyi. Head coach: Zs.Varga.
OSC’s coach Daniel Varga changed a little bit the starting seven compared to the previous match. Today, Marton Levai was the first goalkeeper (Bistristanyi was in front of the net for all 32 minutes in the first game).
Both goalies were up to the task in the first quarter. Levai posted four, and Vogel had three saves. These data show that Ferencvaros created more opportunities in the first eight minutes, but it scored only one goal. Vendel Vigvari made it 1:0 from a 6 on 5 in the 3rd minute.
OSC missed a few good chances at the beginning of the second period. The hosts broke the deadlock in the 12th minute when Danial Angyal scored with a man-up. Immediately after, Marton Levai couldn’t save Gergo Fekete’s close-range shot from a 6 on 5 and Ferencvaros regained the lead. But, not for long. Angyal leveled once again (15th minute). It seemed that the teams would be at the same starting line at the middle break. However, Ferencvaros earned a man-up three seconds before the middle break. Adam Nagy was in an excellent position, he beat the buzzer and scored for 2:3.
Ferencvaros missed an opportunity to double its advantage in the 17th minute from a 6 on 4. However, after OSC defended its net, a penalty shot was awarded to the visitors”. Argyropoulos converted it to a 4:2 lead.
Two goals in a low-scoring encounter between teams that play excellent defense isn’t a slight difference. Ferencvaros’ late goal in the first half and the next for 4:2 was a turning point. Besides, before the penalty, OSC left without Erik Csacsovszky, who was excluded with substitution.
Head coach Zsolt Varga with a poster made by fans All photos by Laszlo Balogh/Total Waterpolo
The hosts halved the deficit in the middle of the quarter. Marton Toth netted for 3:4 after an excellent assist from Gergely Burian. It was the first action goal in the match. But, Argyropoulos replied immediately, also from a 6 on 6 (after an ordinary foul), and Ferencvaros went to” ” +2″ again.
A minute and 36 seconds before the last break, Szilard Jansik added another action goal for 6:3. It was Ferencvaros’ another big step towards the title.
The fourth quarter began with a penalty shot for OSC. Krisztian Manhercz hit the post, but the ball bounced back right into his hands. However, he was fouled, so a new penalty was awarded to the hosts. This time, Vince Vigvari took responsibility and made no mistake – 4:6.
The teams traded the goals in the following minutes, and Ferencvaros kept an advantage. The series of penalties continued in the 27th minute when a new shot from the 5m line was awarded to Ferencvaros. Argyropoulos sent the ball into the net for 7:4. Marton Toth replied immediately with an extra player. Three minutes before the end, the visitors earned the third penalty shot in the match. This time, Gergo Fekete “replaced” Argyropoulos and made it 8:5.
Two minutes before the end, Soma Vogel saved a penalty from Vince Vigvari and that was the end of the contest. Marton Toth scored from a 6 on 5 for 6:8, but it was too late.
Most of the goals in this game came after personal fouls. OSC’s power-play conversion was 4/12 and Ferencvaros’ 3/10. The champion scored three goals from penalty shots (3/3), and OSC one (1/3).
Ferencvaros continues preparing for the Champions League Final Eight. OSC will finish the season on Tuesday with the Champions League match against Marseille.
History
ALL HUNGARIAN CHAMPIONS: Ujpest 26 titles (the last title in 1995), Ferencvaros 25 (reigning champion), Vasas 18 (the last title in 2012), Szolnok 10 (2021), BVSC – 7 (1999), OSC 7 – (1978), Honved – 6 (2006), MUE – 4 (1909), III Keruleti TVE – 3 (1928), Eger – 3 (2014), Magyar 2 (1943), Balaton 2 (1905), MAFC 1 (1917), BSE 1 (1940), Tunsgram 1 (1992)
Last ten champions – 2023: Ferencvaros; 2022: Ferencvaros, 2021: Szolnok. 2020: season canceled, 2019: Ferencvaros, 2018: Ferencvaros, 2017: Szolnok, 2016: Szolnok, 2015: Szolnok, 2014: Eger, 2013: Eger.
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