HUNGARY 0-0 DENMARK, Budapest, 06/09/08

An uneventful goalless draw in Budapest saw Hungary retain the UFWC title in this World Cup qualifier.

Denmark had the majority of the possession and came closest to scoring, with Arsenal’s Nicklas Bendtner striking the post from a free kick.

Hungary played with a single striker, and Szabolcs Huszti had the best of their chances just before half-time, latching onto a mistake from Martin Laursen but being denied by goalkeeper Stephan Andersen.

Hungary will take the title into their second World Cup Qualifier against Sweden on Wednesday. Sweden also drew their first qualifier 0-0, playing out a stalemate with Albania.

Hungary: Gabor Babos, Zoltan Szelesi, Vilmos Vanczak, Roland Juhasz, Laszlo Bodnar, Krisztian Vadocz, Pal Dardai, Zoltan Gera, Tamas Hajnal, Balazs Dzsudzsak (Sandor Torghelle, 46), Szabolcs Huszti (Gergely Rudolf, 90).

Denmark: Stephan Andersen, Lars Jacobsen, Martin Laursen, Daniel Agger, Christopher Poulsen, Daniel Jensen, Christian Poulsen, Martin Vingaard (Jonas Borring, 62), Dennis Rommedahl, Nicklas Bendtner (Marc Nygaard, 87), Jon Dahl Tomasson (Martin Retov, 68).

Match Reports Denmark, Hungary

HUNGARY 3-3 MONTENEGRO, Budapest, 20/08/08
Priskin 29, Hajnal 55,87, Jovetic 45,68, Vukcevic 51

A late Tamas Hajnal penalty snatched a draw and retained the UFWC title for Hungary in this friendly match against Montenegro.

Watford striker Tamas Priskin shot from 25 yeards to give Hungary the lead on 29 minutes, but the Montenegrins equalised on the stroke of half-time through a Stevan Jovetic penalty – despite the best efforts of Hungary goalkeeper Gabor Babos.

Simon Vukcevic of Sporting Lisbon latched onto a rebound to put the visitors ahead after 51 minutes, but within minutes Hajnal had levelled things up for Hungary, who were without injured star man Zoltan Gera.

Jovetic scored his second goal on 68 minutes to restore Montenegro’s lead, but Hajnal’s 87th minute penalty was enough to earn the Hungarians a draw.

UFWC champs Hungary will next play Denmark on 6 September in a World Cup Qualifier.

Hungary: Gabor Babos, Zoltan Szelesi (Laszlo Bodnar, 80), Vilmos Vanczak, Roland Juhasz (Krisztian Timar, 61), Zsolt Low (Boldizsar Bodor, 80), Balazs Toth (Adam Vass, 46), Krisztian Vadocz, Szabolcs Huszti (Peter Halmosi, 69), Tamas Hajnal, Balazs Dzsudzsak, Tamas Priskin (Gergely Rudolf, 69).

Montenegro: Vukasin Poleksic, Elsad Verotic (Vlado Jeknic, 84), Radoslav Batak, Jovan Tanasijevic, Vladimir Bozovic, Branko Boskovic, Simon Vukcevic (Igor Burzanovic, 67), Milorad Pekovic, Nikola Drincic, Stefan Jovetic, Mirko Vucinic (Radomir Dalovic, 68).

Match Reports Hungary, Montenegro

HUNGARY vs MONTENEGRO
Wednesday 20 August 2008, Budapest

While the eyes of the sporting world might currently be on Beijing, the UFWC gets back underway after a summer break this Wednesday as title holders Hungary meet Montenegro.

In fact, the eyes of both Hungary and Montenegro might remain on Beijing – the two nations are battling it out for Olympic gold in the men’s water polo, having already met in a ‘stunning’ 10-10 qualifying match stalemate. There are unlikely to be 20 goals at the Ferenc Puskas Stadium on Wednesday.

Neither side can claim to be among world football’s elite – Hungary are FIFA ranked 50th in the world, while Montenegro are 143rd. But Hungary are just outside the top ten in the UFWC all-time rankings, having previously won 24 title matches, while Montenegro have never previously played in one.

Match Previews Hungary, Montenegro

HUNGARY 1-1 CROATIA, Budapest, 31/05/08
Kovac 23, Kovac (OG) 45

Croatia skipper Nico Kovac went from zero to hero in this clash, scoring for both sides as Hungary retained the UFWC title.

Kovac headed home a corner to put his side in front after 23 minutes, but, on the stroke of half-time, he headed another corner into his own net.

Kovac almost made amends in the 55th minute, heading another corner against the Hungary crossbar, but it was a game of few chances, and Croatia will have to improve if they are to make any impression in the Euro competition.

Hungary failed to qualify for Euro 2008, so unfortunately the UFWC title will not be contested at that tournament.

The next FIFA-scheduled UFWC title match is a World Cup Qualifier between Hungary and Sweden on 10 September, however reports suggest Hungary will play Montenegro on 20 August.

EDIT: Confirmed by FIFA: The next UFWC title match is a friendly match between Hungary and Montenegro on 20 August.

Match Reports Croatia, Hungary