Honvéd hanker for Hungarian first

No promises
With the 14th and final edition of the competition concluding this weekend, Honvéd can become the first Hungarian side to progress to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup via the traditional summer competition, but despite earning a 0-0 draw in last weekend's first leg against Sturm in Austria, former Hungary striker Pölöskei is making no promises.

'Odds are 50-50'
"Sturm are a really strong side," said the former striker, who played with the national team at the 1982 FIFA World Cup. "They can play really quick football not just at home but away as well. We earned an important draw in Austria that we deserved but I still think the odds are 50-50 for the teams to go through."

Declining form
Pölöskei's caution is perhaps well advised. The club have had some notable disappointments in recent months. A slump from first to eighth in the table towards the end of last season saw coach Attila Supka replaced by Pölöskei, and they lost to Debreceni VSC in the final of the Hungarian Cup.

Youth role
Reaching the UEFA Cup would be a major lift, and would allow Pölöskei a fresh opportunity to prove his credentials as a coach. He arrived at the Boszik Stadium with a reputation as an expert in working with young players, having led a youthful MTK Budapest side and assisted Hungary Under-21 coach Antal Róth for six years.

Ivorian absentees
Things have been made harder for Honvéd by the fact that Ivorian stars Angoua Brou Benjamin and Guie Gneki Abraham have both been called up for Olympic service. However central defender András Debreceni is available fresh from Hungary's run to the UEFA European Under-19 Championship semi-finals in the Czech Republic.