Hungary made history despite early exit, says coach
Hungary coach Marco Rossi said that despite exiting the European Championship following the group stage his team could hold their heads up high for playing a exceptional three games against a few of the top teams on the globe.
Hungary drew 1-1 with world champions France and 2-2 with Germany, their only loss a 3-0 defeat by Portugal in an exceedingly tough group.
"I would challenge one to say they knew that coming up against these teams we would get any points," Rossi told a news conference. "But we drew against France and Germany. This will go down in recent Hungarian football history.
"The guys did something that people will recall in a long time and they'll be pleased with them."
In an exhilarating game against the ever powerful Germans, Hungary took the lead and went ahead again after an initial German equaliser before conceding the ultimate goal late in the match.
"(My players) were disappointed with the effect because we went very near to advancing, which could have been incredible, unimaginable, but unfortunately even in the best fairytales there can be significantly less than happy endings," Rossi said.
"That said I am very pleased with my players tonight. From a technical perspective we aren't the best on the globe, but we are for each and every other perspective. Tactically, helping the other person out, digging in, sacrificing...
"I am very proud to teach this side. I congratulated all lads, told them, they have to keep their heads up, because 8 weeks from now World Cup qualifying resumes."
Hungary rarely gets connection with playing such strong opponents.
"We were never forced to experiment because we never have opponents this strong," Rossi said. "For example, I like to press all around the pitch, play a more attacking make of football but I do need to realise who we came against now."
"Players followed what I told them to the letter. I told them, play these people without the respect to who they are. Do not fear anything. They did all that and I wish to thank them."Hungary made history despite early exit, says coach
Reuters, Budapest
Hungary coach Marco Rossi said that despite exiting the European Championship following the group stage his team could hold their heads up high for playing a impressive three games against a number of the top teams on the globe.
Hungary drew 1-1 with world champions France and 2-2 with Germany, their only loss a 3-0 defeat by Portugal in an exceedingly tough group.
"I would challenge one to say they knew that approaching against these teams we'd get any points," Rossi told a news conference. "But we drew against France and Germany. This will decrease in recent Hungarian football history.
"The guys did something that persons will recall in a long time and they'll be pleased with them."
Within an exhilarating game against the ever powerful Germans, Hungary took the lead and went ahead again after an initial German equaliser before conceding the ultimate goal late in the match.
"(My players) were disappointed with the effect because we went very close to advancing, which could have been incredible, unimaginable, but sadly even in the best fairytales there can be less than happy endings," Rossi said.
"Having said that I am very proud of my players tonight. From a technical perspective we are not the best on the globe, but we are for each and every other perspective. Tactically, helping the other person out, digging in, sacrificing...
"I am very proud to teach this side. I congratulated all lads, told them, they have to keep their heads up, because two months from now World Cup qualifying resumes."
Hungary rarely gets connection with playing such strong opponents.
"We were never forced to experiment because we do not have opponents this strong," Rossi said. "For instance, I like to press all over the pitch, play a far more attacking make of football but I do need to realise who we came up against now."
"Players followed what I told them to the letter. I told them, play these persons without any respect to who they are. Usually do not fear anything. They did all that and I wish to thank them."
