The expectations at the start of the season where sky high. The team and the management asked for patience as the new players would need time to settle down and find their rhythm in the new super squad of Szolnok.
Arguably the most talented squad in the world, second possibly only by Italian powerhouse Pro Recco, Szolnok’s ambitions did not leave anything to the imagination. Win the Hungarian Cup, win the Hungarian league, and conquer Europe in the Champions League. With the Hungarian Cup already in the trophy cabinet, an unbeaten run in the domestic league, and a maximum score in the Champions League so far, you could say that the Hungarians are well on schedule to make 2015 Szolnok’s year.
In the last competition round of 2014, the unbeaten status of the league leaders was not endangered.
BVSC came to visit and the team of Tamás Marcz has been out of form for months. Despite the addition of several top players like Béla Török and Mátyás Pásztor, the team has been unable to live up to the expectations.
Possibly the only positive thing to take away from this game for BVSC is that it was not the kind of walk-over that we have seen so often already this season from Szolnok. The visitors were able to stay close in each period and get their shots on goal. However, Szolnok stayed professional and finished their opponent with ease. Dénes Varga (pictured) scored a game high of 4 goals bringing his total to 26 in 11 games. The future is never certain but Szolnok will definitely be one of the teams to be fighting for the gold in 2015.
Photograph: Facebook / Szolnok.
League rivals Eger came from an embarrassing mid-week Champions League loss against Pro Recco that made us think back of the horrific CL runs in the last couple of seasons under the leadership of György Gerendás. The intention for Eger this season was to mainly make in impact in Europe. However, on Wednesday the team looked paralyzed and was a sitting duck for the Italian record champion. In the last match of 2014 the team of coach Norbert Dabrowski was looking to bounce back and still finish the year in style. Opponent Szeged turned out to be a willing target to help Eger restore some confidence. After a 5-0 first period the favorites continued to build their lead, mainly thanks to an on fire Márton Szivós with 4 goals, to win 15-6. The victory will help Eger to still celebrate Christmas with a smile on their face. However, on January 14 Brescia awaits in round 3 of the Champions League.
A must win game for Eger if they want to keep any hopes up on making it into the finals this year.
Photograph: Waterpolo.hu.
The third major contender for the Hungarian league title OSC also finished their 11th round match with a win to wrap the year up trailing Szolnok by only 3 points. The match against Kaposvár went up to a 0-6 score before the home side could get their first goal on the board in the second period. By half-time the difference was still 6 at a 2-8 score and OSC took their foot of the pedal. Kaposvár brought the difference back to 4 but had to accept to close the year with a defeat anyway. OSC center back Miklós Gór-Nagy (pictured), who recently became a father for the second time (congratulations Miki!), scored a game-high of 3 goals. Kaposvár still finish 2014 on 6th spot. However, they share this spot with 4 other teams that all collected 12 points and still remain 12 points behind number 5 Honvéd who won their round 11 match against DVSE with 4-13.
Photograph: Waterpolo.hu.
Up there with the 3 super star squads of Szolnok, Eger, and OSC there still is FTC. This weekend’s match versus UVSE was very close, but in the end FTC came out on top once again. Like so many times before this season.
The question is if FTC can maintain this position the rest of the season in 2015 as well when they still need to face Szolnok in round 12 and Honvéd in round 13 before the half-way split after round 14.
Round 11 results
Home
|
Visitors
|
Final Score
|
Eger
|
Szeged
|
15-6
|
UVSE
|
FTC
|
11-12
|
Szolnok
|
BVSC
|
11-6
|
DVSE
|
Honvéd
|
4-13
|
Szentes
|
PVSK
|
11-10
|
Kaposvár
|
OSC
|
8-12
|
Vasas
|
KSI
|
13-7
|
League standings
Team
|
Games
|
Win
|
Draw
|
Loss
|
Points
|
GD
|
Szolnok
|
11
|
11
|
0
|
0
|
33
|
88
|
OSC
|
11
|
10
|
0
|
1
|
30
|
52
|
Eger
|
11
|
9
|
1
|
1
|
28
|
70
|
FTC
|
11
|
9
|
0
|
2
|
27
|
3
|
Honvéd
|
11
|
8
|
0
|
3
|
24
|
17
|
Kaposvár
|
11
|
4
|
0
|
6
|
12
|
-6
|
BVSC
|
11
|
4
|
0
|
6
|
12
|
-10
|
Szeged
|
11
|
4
|
0
|
6
|
12
|
-16
|
Vasas
|
11
|
4
|
0
|
6
|
12
|
-17
|
DVSE
|
11
|
4
|
0
|
6
|
12
|
-43
|
UVSE
|
11
|
3
|
1
|
7
|
10
|
-26
|
KSI
|
11
|
2
|
1
|
8
|
7
|
-24
|
PVSK
|
11
|
2
|
1
|
8
|
7
|
-28
|
Szentes
|
11
|
1
|
0
|
10
|
3
|
-60
|
Top scorers
Name Player
|
Club
|
Games Played
|
Goals
|
Támás Gyárfás
|
Vasas
|
11
|
29
|
Dénes Varga
|
Szolnok
|
11
|
26
|
Mátyás Pászor
|
BVSC
|
11
|
26
|
Márton Szivós
|
Eger
|
11
|
25
|
Bence Bátori
|
OSC
|
11
|
23
|
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