Hungary is one of the leading countries in Central Europe, having joined the European Union in 2004.

Ask any Hungarian about their country's footballing achievement and doubtless they'll mention the "Aranycsapat" (Golden Team).
Hungary is best known for offering the world one of the most formidable and influential sides in football history, the delivery of which revolutionized how the game would forever be played.  For more information, see Wikipedia's entry for Hungary national football team.

Hungary was the first team outside the British Isles to beat England at home, winning 6-3 at Wembley Stadium in 1953. In fact, there's a small bar in Budapest called the "6-3".

Budapest's main football stadium was recently named after their greatest player, Ferenc Puskás, who scored 83 goals from 84 international games.

2009 saw Debreceni VSC qualify for UEFA Champions League, the first Hungarian club to do so in 14 years.


Brief history of football in Hungary:
1901 - Hungarian Football Federation founded.
1906 - Affiliated to FIFA.
1938 - Reach World Cup final in France, losing to Italy 4-2.
1953 - Hungary become the first team outside the British Isles to beat England at home, winning 6-3 at Wembley Stadium.
1954 - Reach World Cup final in Switzerland, losing to West Germany 3-2.
1964 - Reach semi-finals of European Championships.
1965 - Budapest club Ferencváros win the Fairs (UEFA) Cup.
1972 - Reach semi-finals of European Championships.
1986 - Hungary qualify for the World Cup Finals in Mexico.



The football season in Hungary is as follows:
August 1 - June 15 (excludes December 1 to the end of February, because of the winter conditions.)