Balázs thrives in the spotlight

By Martón Dinnyes

While Hungary's footballers have struggled to make an impact in top-level European football in recent years, the nation retains a fine goalkeeping tradition. Gábor Király has proved himself in Germany and now with English club Crystal Palace FC, while Gábor Babos of Feyenoord is considered one of the leading custodians in the Netherlands.

Similar story
It appears to be a similar story in the fast-growing sport of Futsal. In February, Hungary competed among the top eight teams at the UEFA European Futsal Championship, where the amateur nation were up against professional sides like Italy, Portugal and eventual winners Spain.

World class
Not surprisingly, they finished without a point from their three group games at the finals in the Czech Republic. However, goalkeeper Zoltán Balázs turned in three magnificent performances that had most hailing him as the best shot-stopper on view. uefa.com caught up with the 25-year-old.

uefa.com: Hungary conceded quite a lot of goals but no one blames you. How did it feel to be picking the ball out of the net despite so many great saves?

Zoltán Balázs: It is a cliché but the team helps me to make saves. I need their help just as they need mine. We played against the best sides in the world at this tournament so it was not humiliating for me to pick the ball out of the net. Also, supporters are not interested in defensive Futsal - our philosophy has to be to score one more than we concede.

uefa.com: A Futsal goalkeeper must take part in the play as well. Do you like leaving your goal?

Balázs: To be honest, I play anything but as a goalkeeper when I play football with my friends! But seriously, I practise a lot with my feet. I have a very important role when we get the ball in creating our attacks. When I use my hands I have to throw the ball in four seconds and I must make a correct decision. It is the same when I control the ball with my feet.

uefa.com: You like to make long throws as well.

Balázs: Yes, there are not too many risks in a long throw. The worst possible outcome is that the opposition goalkeeper gets the ball, while it is a great benefit if your team scores from one. I play without gloves, and because my goalkeeping coach is a handball specialist, I use wax on my fingers.

uefa.com: Hungary are an amateur side. Do you work every day as well?

Balázs: Of course, I work for my brother's company as a logistics manager. I get all the goods that a small company needs. Every day, in the afternoon, I train with my [Hungarian fourth division] football team Örkény FC and, twice a week, I go to Futsal training in the evening. I'm a busy goalkeeper.

uefa.com: What did you think about the Ostrava finals in general?

Balázs: First of all, it was a fantastic event for the Hungarian players to take part in. The atmosphere was very good and we enjoyed the whole experience. It was also a good opportunity for me to study other top goalkeepers. It is just a pity we weren't drawn in an easier group - we could have shown a bit more against teams like the Netherlands or the Czech Republic.

uefa.com: What are your prospects for the future?
Balázs: I hope there were club scouts there who recognised that I'm good enough to play in a better league and will contact me in the future.