MTK's winter wonderland

Snow saw MTK Budapest's final league game of 2007 called off after 39 minutes but the capital giants will still enter 2008 at the top of the Hungarian table.

Heavy snow
With second-placed Budapest Honvéd FC unexpectedly losing 4-3 at bottom side FC Tatabánya on Saturday, József Garami's side were already sure of spending the winter at the top of the NB I when they kicked off against FC Sopron on Monday. Having taken the lead, MTK will have been somewhat disappointed when heavy snow in Budapest saw the game called off before half-time.

Winning streak
With the Sopron fixture unlikely to be rescheduled until next year, MTK will enter the three-month winter break a point ahead of second-placed Honvéd with a game in hand, having ended the year on something of a high with wins in all three of their games in November. They will now start 2008 optimistic of claiming their first title since 2003/04 – and their 23rd in total.

Golden era
Founded in 1888, the club is most famous for its 1950s golden era during which the likes of Nándor Hidegkuti, Péter Palotás, Mihály Lantos and Jószef Zakariás helped MTK win three titles and become the first Hungarian side to play in the European Champion Clubs' Cup. However, their reputation was established at home with 15 titles won before the Second World War.

New stars
The current side was not expected to thrive this season, with three star players having left in the summer to try their luck in England – teenagers Krisztián Németh and András Simon have both joined Liverpool FC while 22-year-old central defender Béla Balogh joined second tier side Colchester United FC. However, the club has found new talent, with 22-year-old striker Gábor Urbán proving a big hit after his seven goals from 14 matches.

Smooth surfaces
The autumn proved to be a success for MTK, but coach Garami expects even better from the spring months, saying: "This part of the season is not the best for us as we play a direct, short-passing style and the condition of the pitches is not the best all the time." With the ball set to roll a little smoother as the summer approaches, MTK may find their best is yet to come.