HHF 2008

HHF 2008

XVII. Women’s Junior Word Championship

The Hungarian national team will start again Brazil on Saturday

By winning the silver medal at last year’s European Championship in Hungary, the team lead by Kálmán Róth automatically qualified – together with the gold medalist Norway – for the World Championship, taking place in Korea between 17-31st of July. During the two weeks, 24 teams in 4 groups are competing for the first 3-3 place to reach the main round. The Hungarian girls, led by Anikó Kovacsics, who proved her talent already in the senior national team – will play their first match in group C again Brazil on Saturday. Then comes Thailand and Australia and after a free day Japan and Spain

Women’ GF World Cup 2010.

The Hungarian women’s national team will participate this year again at the traditional GF world cup in Denmark. The group distribution and the match program was released by the organizers. From the top 9 teams of the last world championship, only Spain and Korea are not playing in the NRGi Arena, in Ǻrhus, Our team is in the same group with the host and WC 5^th Denmark, the WC silver medalist France and the WC 7^th Germany. The first two teams will play against each other in the semi-finals.

The draw for the men’s world championship group matches took place in Gothenburg

Our opponents: Iceland, Norway, Austria, Brazil, Japan

On the 8^th of July took place in Gothenburg the official draw for the XXII. Men’s World Championship, which will take place in Sweden between 13-30^th of January, 2011. The 24 teams will fight for the main round places in 4 groups. Teams ranked 1-3 will have the chance to fight for the medals, whereas teams ranked 4-6. will continue in the President’s Cup. The first two teams of the main round will play in the semi-finals.

Opponents of the Hungarian team in group B are: Iceland, Norway, Austria, Brazil and Japan. If qualifying for the main round, our boys could face the winner of the last tree world championships, such as France, Germany and Spain.

Winner of the championship will be the first to qualify for the 2012. London Olympic Games, while teams ranked 2-7 will have the chance to take part at the Olympic qualification tournament in the spring of 2012.

Women’s 18 European Open Championship

The Hungarian team finished 6th, gold medal is for Denmark

The Hungarian national team finished 6th at the 6. Women’s 18 European Open Championship, which took place in Gothenburg between 6-10^th of July.

Our team started the competition very well, winning their group without losing any points, beating Finland, Switzerland and Spain. The second part of the tournament was two sided. Besides the winning against Netherland, the 20 goals (!) victory against Romania is an excellent result. On the other hand, the runner up Russian team, as well as the Polish team (finishing 4th at the end) were better than our girls. The final match against Austria was not according to wish either, but still the Hungarian team finished in the top 6. Best player of our team was Kinga Klivinyi, with 50 goals, who as the best playmaker was elected into the All Start team as well.

The gold medal went to Denmark, beating Russia in the final, while the host Sweden finished at the 3^rd place.

The most important competition for the team is still to come. Girls of György Papp is further preparing for the Youth World Championship, taking place in the Dominican Republic from the 2^nd of August.

Handball is the second most popular sport

60% of the Hungarian population follows the sport events, majority of them concentrate on the major sport competitions. Among the team sports, handball is ranked second and also silver medalist on the list, which includes those results of which people are the proudest of.

HHF mourns passing of László Marki, honorary board member

It was with great sadness that we have learned that László Márki, honorary member of the Hungarian Handball Federation’s Board has passed away yesterday at the age of 82.

Everybody’s “dear old Laci” started whistling at the early 1950’s and became an international referee in 1964. Courtesy of his passion and enthusiasm towards his beloved sport, he represented Hungarian handball at the Olympic Games in Munich and Montreal as well as whistled many top matches at four World Championships, between 1973 and 1978.

From the 60’s he was an active member of the Referees’ Commission of the Hungarian Handball Federation and has been elected for presidency for many terms. As the president of his commission, he was a long time member of the Executive Board of the HHF until 2001.

Amongst the many decorations and awards received, László Márki was given the prestigious “For the betterment of Hungarian Handball “– medal when retired from active duty, in 2001.

The Hungarian Handball Family considers with the deepest sorrow to have lost one of our very own.

Draw of the 2012. men’s European Championship Qualification

The Hungarian national team is in the same group with Macedonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina

The draw for the 2012 men’s European Championship qualification took place on Monday in Beograd. Teams ranked 1 and 2 will qualify for the final tournament, joining the title defender France and the host Serbia.

The Hungarian men’s national team is in group 1, together with Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and the winner of the pre-qualification group A, which contains Estonia, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Great-Britain.

IHF Commission meeting in Basel

During the past weekend in Basel took place this year’s first meeting of the IHF Commission of Coaching and Methods, with the participation of Zoltán Marczinka, deputy-technical director of the MKSZ.

During the 2 days meeting, 22 points were discusses: fours year plan of the commission, including the dates and venues of the Olympic Solidarity and Challenge Throphy courses and coaching symposiums. Report was given about the experience of the women’s world championship, the rule modifications coming into effect from the 1^st of July, wheelchair handball, the possibilities of the introduction of international coaching license and the future of handball at school and education of professionals. As a new project, the Tech Corner of the IHF web site was introduced, whereas the Technical Appendix of the World Handball Magazine will be published twice a year. The four-member editing staff includes Zoltán Marczinka as well.

Lajos Mocsai is the technical director of the men’s national team

The Board of the Hungarian Handball Federation during its meeting on the 24^th of February, 2010 has listened to and accepted the report of the head coach, István Csoknyai about the performance of the national team at the European Championship. The Board came to the conclusion that the team did not meet the minimal expectations. From now on, the primary and short-term goal is the qualification for the world championship.

For this reason, the Board has made some resolutions. Lajos Mocsai was appointed technical director of the men’s national team, while István Csoknyai remained the head coach. This appointment is valid till the 30^th of June. At the same time, Vladan Matic resigned from his position, which was noted by the Board.

Finally, the Board decided to make changes in the championship schedule in order to have more preparation time before the play off matches against Slovenia.

Croatian-Hungarian bid for hosting the 2014. Men’s European Championship

The leaders of the Hungarian and Croatian Handball Federation kept working on the cooperation for a successful candidacy since submitting the official application for hosting the 2014 Men’s Handball European Championship. The Euro in Austria provides an excellent possibility to gain recognition professionally on international level. At the venues of the continental championship, the parties not only hand out promotional materials, but on the final weekend, the presidents of the two federations, László Sinka and Sandi Sola will introduce the most important details of the bid in the framework of a press conference.

As a integral part of a picturesque presentation, the logo of the Croatian-Hungarian bid was developed.

The final decision about the host will take place at European Handball Federation’s congress in September, 2010.

National Handball Center can be built close to Budapest

One of the key elements of the long term (2009-2017) Strategic Development Plan of the Hungarian Handball Federation (HHF) is the development of infrastructure. With this view, in November 2009, the leaders of CEFAM Hungary Ltd, the Local Government of Pomáz and HHF started the implementation of a big scale project, within with the investment of 7,6 billion Forint (27,3 Million €), a world class multifunctional center, a National Handball Center can be built in Pomáz by the end of 2011. The initiative enjoys the full sport of Sándor Hadházy, MP of this region, as well.

The location of the future complex is ideal: it is located on a 10 ache area, at the north-east boarder of Pomáz, toward Szentendre, only 7 km from Budapest, and easily accessible from FerihegyInternationalAirport as well. The facility includes one competition hall, 2-3 training halls, a sport medical center and a sport hotel, which can also serve as an educational center. On the green area around the buildings, different sport courts (tennis, smaller football, handball, volleyball, roller skating) extend the services to its full.

Painful goodbye from Wr.Neustadt and the European Championship

With the defeat against Czech Republic, the Hungarian national team did not reach the main round

The final day of the group matches in group D of the European Championship start with a group final between France and Spain and at the end shared the two points.

Opposite to the playing field, group final in the spectators stands took place between the two other teams and although there were many fans from Czech Republic they could not keep up with the Hungarians. Unfortunately the match for the third place did not reflect these power relations. Following the 3 goals from Laluska, the Czech team took over the lead very quickly and then gradually increased it. A 7-m save from Fazekas, 2-2 goals from Császár and Katzirz was not even enough to stay in the match, because on the other side, goalkeeper Galia saved several clear scoring chances and Jicha (scoring 14 goals at the end) played overwhelmingly (8-13). At this time unexpectedly, the picture of the match changes, our team equalized the 5 goals drawback in 4 minutes. But then with a lucky goal, the Czech team could leave the court with a lead at half time.

The break horribly broke the swing of our team, three and half minute later the five goals lead of the Czech team was back (13-18). Our team fought more fitfully, with many mistakes and was not able to renew. Although in the middle of the half time the difference decreased to 3 goals (19-22), our opponent kept its lead till the final phase and reach the main round behind Spain and France.

The Spanish wall was too high

The match Hugary-Czech Republic on Friday will be the decisive

Similarly to the high class Hungary-France match on Tuesday started the Wednesday program of the Euro. Although the favorite team of France was leading by 7 goals against Czechs, they fought back and equalized, but at the end the Olympic champion won the match with only one goal.

At the same time, the fans, dressed in red-white-green were already in the hall, preparing to create such a magical atmosphere as day before. Unfortunately our team could not start the match on necessary heat and the opponent unmercifully utilized our repetitive mistakes. Coach Csoknyai took the time out at 2-6, still the difference continued to grow (3-9), so Fazekas substituted Puljezevic in the goal. This resulted in a much better goalkeeper performance, but our offence stay as ineffective, so instead of decreasing the difference, it increased to 8 goals till half time. The situation did not change much later; seven goals remain more or less between the team throughout the remaining the match, leaving the fans hopeless. At the end, it was -9 and the fact that Czechs lost with 12 goals did not make anyone happier.

The winners of the day, France and Spain are already in the main round, the remaining place will be decided in the match Hungary-Czech Republic on Friday at 20:15.

At an inch away from an even bigger world sensation

Draw against the Olympic champion France on the Euro-start

The Hungarian national team started the European Championship in Arena Nova, Wr. Neustadt in a great, home-like atmosphere created by the several thousand Hungarian spectators. Our boys started the match, acted maximal on the atmosphere and were in the lead most of the time in the first 12 minutes, thanks to the fact that Fazakas also saved a 7-m penalty. After 7-7, due to continuous powerplay of France, our opponent could turn round the match, but could not achieve a lead bigger than 3 goals. But the final phase of the half time turned out to be dreamy, hat trick from Gál and a score from Krivokapic equalized the match for the break.

The first 15 minutes after the break was similar to those of the beginning, in a tight fight it was always Hungary ahead. Puljezevic followed Fazekas in the goal and showed great saved one after another, while in front Törő, Ilyés, Katzirz and Gulyás scored. At a 27-23 lead for Hungary, the French team took its time out, which made their game more effective, while we could only achieve two goals by Ilyés in the last nine minutes. Following great excitement, the final result was a 29-29 tie. The Hungarian euphoria decreased a bit, but the spectators as one celebrate the Hungarian team, who did not loose, but won a point against the Olympic and world champion.

Excellent TV viewing rate

234 TV broadcast of handball matches with 63 million viewers in 2009

At the press conference of MKSZ on the 12^th of January, László Sinka, president of the Hungarian federation said that the interest of the TV channels towards handball increased further in 2009. Besides MTV, Sport TV and Viasat3, new actors appeared on the market, such as DigiSport, and the market leader RTL Klub and Sport Klub couple based on the contract signed by MKSZ, committed itself to broadcast the national team, national competition and cup competition matched for the next 5 years. Thus in 2009, a total of 211 different handball matches were on TV, and with the 1-hour Handball Magazine of SportKlub since September 2009, the total number of handball programs reach 234. The total of 730 hours of broadcast, including the replays, reached more than 63 million Hungarian TV viewers.

In 2009, the Hungarian women’s and men’s national teams played a total of 44 matches (27 victories, 5 draws, 12 defeats). All these matches (21 women’s, 23 men’s) were broadcasted live by Sport TV, Sport Klub TV, RTL Klub and DigiSport, and were followed by more than 12 million viewers.

Interwetten Cup

With a win against Austria, Hungary finished 3^rd

At the closing match of the preparation tournament, the Hungarian national team won against Austria, so with a 50% performance finished third. The match started with a goal show from the Iváncsik brothers, which resulted in a clear lead at the beginning (5-2, 7-4). Although the host tied in the middle of the half (8-8, 9-9), but Puljezevic, who substituted Fazekas in the goal, launched with two saves, and with the goals from Ilyés and Gál, the 3-goal lead was back at half time. After the break the Gulyás-Törő wing couple, as well as the penalties from Krivokapic, the lead increased to five goals (23-18). It was necessary for the win as in the last 15 minutes, our team scored only three goals (Laluska, Eklemovic, Gál), but at the end it was enough to gain two point and finishing at the third place.

Interwetten Cup

WC bronze medalist Poland mastered at the end

Following the great results against Croatia, the Hungarian men’s national team had to face against a great opponent on the 2^nd day of the preparation tournament, namely the 2 times silver and bronze medalist Poland. Our team, whose composition was often changing for the sake of the preparation, was an equal opponent till the 50^th minute, but in the final phase it was proved that they are not yet ready to play two top matches a day after another. Similarly to the previous day, the Hungarian team started the match on a low-key, so they had to start their fight back after 5-2, the 3-8. With the excellent saves from Fazekas and with the great performance of Laluska and Krivokapic, the half ended with a tie. In the beginning of the second half, with a hat trick from Ilyés, the Hungarian took over the lead (15-13), but afterwards the physically stronger opponent overcome our team.

Draw against the WC silver medalist Croatia on the opening day of the Interwetten Cup

With a promising performance gained a valuable point the Hungarian men’s national team against the world championship runner up, Croatia on the opening match of the Interwetten Cup in Wr.Neustadt. At the beginning of the match the Croatians run over our team and within a few minutes gained a 4-goal lead (1-5), but our team recovered fast. In the 13^th minute was the result equal (6-6) and the will of the Hungarians started to prevail. István Csoknyai, head coach of the national team took a team time out at 11-11, which resulted in a 3-goal lead in the last phases of the half time. Fazekas had an excellent, 50% performance, Eklemovic was did not only lead well, but similarly to Krivokapic, who confidently scored the penalties, was very effective, and the others played also very well. After the break, our team had problems to find the way through the opponent’s open defense, the performance of the goalkeeper improved significantly and the Balic-Vori-Cupic star trio proved its talent as well, so the Croatian team took back the lead in the 50^th minute, then kept a 1-2 goal lead. On the other hand, the finish was again our. Following 2 goals from Gál, Laluska, who had the confidence throughout the whole match, scored a goal in the last second from over 9 meters, thus tied the match against the world class rival.

Hungary won the silver medal

Over 2,800 fans visited the Final of the Women’s 19 European Championship in Győr’s Mihály Magvassy Sportshall on Sunday afternoon. The local fans have seen the Norwegian W19 team defeating Hungary by 29:27 (15:16) in a high quality game. Norway captured their first ever continental title in this age category.

Norway vs. Hungary - again in the final

Final stage of the Women’s U19 European Handball Championship started on Friday. Two teams are still remain unbeaten, no surprise, that Norway and host nation Hungary will face each other in Sunday’s final of the tournament.