History not on Hungary minds for Norway visit
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Article summary
Bernd Storck says Hungary, 1-0 first-leg winners in Norway on Thursday, are not "thinking of the past" as they seek to qualify for their first major tournament since 1986.
Article top media content
![Bernd Storck's Hungary are 90 minutes away from a place at UEFA EURO 2016 Bernd Storck's Hungary are 90 minutes away from a place at UEFA EURO 2016](https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/0253-0d80bebcdfa7-69015a724fe4-1000/format/wide1/bernd_storck_hungary_.jpeg?imwidth=158)
Article body
- Hungary, 1-0 first-leg winners, are focused on completing play-off job against Norway
- Hungary's last major tournament was 1986 FIFA World Cup
- Coach Per-Mathias Høgmo promises changes to Norway starting XI
- Teams will wear black armbands and observe minute's silence following events in Paris
- Zoltán Gera suspended but Roland Juhász returns after serving ban in first leg
Possible lineups
Hungary: Király; Kádár, Juhász, Guzmics, Fiola; Dzsudzsák, Elek, Nagy, Kleinheisler; Németh, Szalai.
Out: Gera (suspended)
Doubtful: none
Norway: Nyland; Elabdellaoui, Forren, Hovland, Aleesami; Skjelbred, Tettey, Johansen, Berget; Henriksen; Pedersen.
Out: none
Doubtful: Forren (throat infection)
Bernd Storck, Hungary coach
We wanted to play well in Oslo and we did. We wanted to be compact, disciplined and to score, which we did. We want to play some [good] football tomorrow. We are not thinking about the past or the history [of Hungary's absence from major tournaments] – we are only focusing on doing what we have planned for this match. We are in a good position ahead of the second leg and we achieved a very difficult feat by scoring a goal over there.
Per-Mathias Høgmo, Norway coach
We were disappointed to lose at Ullevaal, but I told the players that the tie is simply at half-time. We only need a goal in Budapest to change the complexion of this tie. It will be interesting to see how Hungary approach the game – do they sit back or come at us?
This tie isn't over. Football is a game full of surprises: that is why we love it. Even before the home game I thought we'd need to change the lineup for Sunday to ensure fresh legs and that conviction has not changed.
Qualifying record
Hungary, third in Group F
W4 D4 L2 F11 A9
Norway, third in Group H
W6 D1 L3 F13 A10
EURO play-off record
Hungary: N/A
Norway: W0 L1
Reporter's view: Matthew Watson-Broughton (@UEFAcomMattWB)
So many contrasting emotions for Hungary: joy at winning in Oslo; sadness at the passing this week of former internationals Márton Fülöp and Pál Várhidi; anticipation at being so close to UEFA EURO 2016; and fear that a one-goal lead may not be enough.
Hungary have kept five clean sheets in their last eight games but if Norway create as many chances as they did on Thursday, surely some will go in. I expect it will be tight and I would not be surprised if it went to extra time. After that, who knows?
Did you know?
Hungary were still poised to qualify as the best third-placed team until Turkey's late winner on the final group-stage matchday. Find out more in our extensive match background.