Germany vs Hungary
About 800 kilometres separates these two nations but, while in the scheme of things that is pretty close, they are much further apart when it comes to footballing pedigree.
That wasn’t always the case but, over the past half century, they’ve rarely been on the same radar.
Now as they prepare to take on the Euro 2024 hosts hungry for success, Hungary travel to Stuttgart perhaps in hope more than expectation.
Talking Points
Certainly, that appears the case if judging by the words of their Italian boss Marco Rossi.
He was so unimpressed by his side in their 3-1 opening game defeat to Switzerland on Saturday, he remarked: ‘I dare anybody to bet one Hungarian forint on us. As of today, that looks impossible.’
For those who are unaware, a forint is worth about one-fifth of a British penny.
Even though they improved later on in the contest, Rossi had just witnessed the Swiss cut through his team at will.
In some ways it had been half expected.
Hungary may only have conceded seven goals in their eight qualifiers, but the friendly defeat by the Republic of Ireland a few weeks ago suggested their vulnerability in transition, which always seems a potential danger for coaches, such as Rossi, who advocate relationism rather than positionism.
They now need to be a much tighter unit and ensure they do exactly the opposite of what Scotland did in the opening match of the tournament on Friday night.
Yes, the Germans had made the start the host nation had dreamed off and were excellent against the Scots.
Yes, they played with a swagger to produce some of the early Euro 2024 highlights and look very much like a nation wanting to write their own history.
But like Hungary against the Swiss, Scotland didn’t half play into their opponents’ hands.
On saying all of that, and it is probably worth withholding judgment until they have played a better team, or at least one with an ability to probe their latent brittleness at set pieces – they have gone 13 games without a clean sheet at major tournaments – it is still difficult to envisage anything other than a German win here.
Their swagger appears back, the options on the ball abundant, the attacking patterns well drilled.
There is talent all round the park and, in Florian Wirtz, they now have the youngest-ever player to score for Germany at the European Championships (aged 21 and 42 days).
On Friday, Germany also became the first team to score three goals in the first half of a Euros game since 1984, when France did the same against Belgium.
At the other end, Manuel Neuer made his 35th appearance, surpassing Philipp Lahm (34) at the top of the all-time rankings.
Can Hungary compete against such a set-up, not to mention a passionate home fanbase?
The distance between these two nations seems as wider as ever right now.
History
Overall, the Germans have 13 wins to 12 Hungary successes and a further 12 draws.
A few friendly victories aside though, it was in the 1954 World Cup Finals when Hungary last saw off Germany in major tournament football when Ferenc Puskas was in his pomp and Sandor Kocsis scored four in an 8-3 rout.
Even then, Germany won when it really mattered by defeating the Hungarians in the World Cup Final less than a month later, described as the ‘miracle of Bern’.
On saying that, they sealed a famous win over the Germans in the Nations League 21 months ago.
Their very first encounter came in a 1909 friendly when the two nations shared six goals in Budapest.
For the record, the goals that day were scored by Gaspar Borbas , Bela Sebestyen and Imre Schlosser for the hosts and Camillo Ugi and Willi Worpitzky (two) for Germany.
They met in the group stage at Euro 2020 three years ago when the sides played out a 2-2 draw in Munich.
Twice, Hungary led through Adám Szalai and András Schäfer but each time Joachim Löw’s men hit back through Kai Havertz and Leon Goretzka.
Betting Tip
How can you not bet on the Germans to book their place in the last 16.
The SBOTOP Euro 2024 betting odds certainly expect it.
So much so, in fact, that it seems victory is a given as the host nation can be backed First Half 1X2 @ 1.74, First Half Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.06 and -1.00 @ 2.61, 1X2 @ 1.27 and Asian Handicap -1.75 @ 2.05.
Hungary, by contrast, are on offer First Half 1X2 @ 7.30, First Half Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 2.19, 1X2 @ 9.40 and Asian Handicap +1.25 @ 2.47.
The draw will pay out @ 5.60 and another 1-0 Hungary win is worth @ 26.00 with Correct Score.
I can see Hungary scoring but I can also see Germany netting a fair few themselves.
That is why, out of over 3.25 Goals @ 2.28, Total Goal 0-1 @ 4.68, 2-3 @ 2.07 and 4-6 @ 2.65, I’m opting for the latter as my *** tip.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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