In a competition you can be a winner without actually finishing 1st, and you can be a loser even if you finish in the top of the rankings. Following the complete summary of the Hungarian competition a few days ago, we now take a look at each team individually and how they performed this season compared to the expectations before the start.
The point system in the Hungarian league is based on actions performed by the players during the game. They get extra points for goals, steals, assists, blocks, and drawn fouls. Points are deducted for turnovers, exclusions, and missed shots.
14 PVSK
Ranking: D (Loser)
After finishing at a respectable 10th place last year PVSK was expected to achieve something similar again this season. They started alright picking up some victories against good teams like Debrecen, BVSC, and Vasas but completely lost their momentum after the winter break. In 2015 PVSK celebrated only 2 victories from 19 games (including the playoffs) and sunk like a stone to the bottom of the league. The loss of form for PVSK goes hand in hand with the departure of Károly Czigány (pictured). The 30 year old has been traveling between Pécs and Switzerland in the last 2 seasons and as soon as he is gone, PVSK start losing games. With Czigány already signed for BVSC next season, it might not be such a bad idea for PVSK to relegate after all. Other top performers Krisztián Polovic and Máté Müller both contributed only 41 goals to their team’s campaign and this was just not good enough.
Top performer(s):
Name
|
Games played
|
Goals
|
Points collected
|
Krisztián Polovic
|
29
|
41
|
32
|
Máté Müller
|
29
|
41
|
25.2
|
Károly Czigány
|
11
|
19
|
26.5
|
13 KSI
Ranking: C- (neither winner, nor loser)
The system with which KSI creates their team is always going to be hit and miss. It is based around up and coming talent and during good times they can compete with the middle order of the league, but during bad times they can get completely blown away as well. One thing that is always certain is that their matches are entertaining to watch. Last year they finished 12th and this year they ended 13th. They probably should have finished 1 or 2 places higher but lost during the play-offs against UVSE. Starlets Gergő Kovács (pictured), Róbert Fejős, and goalkeeper Gergely Kardos certainly have a bright future ahead of them and were snapped up by Honvéd already early this transfer period.
Top performer(s):
Name
|
Games played
|
Goals
|
Points collected
|
Gergő Kovács
|
30
|
52
|
37.6
|
Róbert Fejős
|
25
|
31
|
49
|
12 UVSE
Ranking: B+ (Winner)
The only thing UVSE had to do to be a winner this season was not finish last with 0 points. The Hungarian record champion returned to the top league again this year after being away for 3 years because of bankruptcy of the club. They made a new start with a new name and started their way back up the ladder. Last year they promoted from the 2nd division to play with the big boys again. Expectation was to be competitive and collect some points along the way. With the combination of seasoned veterans and young talent, UVSE did surprisingly well.
Top performer(s):
Name
|
Games played
|
Goals
|
Points collected
|
Péter Zoltán
|
28
|
53
|
26
|
Róbert Kovács (pictured)
|
29
|
38
|
33.3
|
11 Szentes
Ranking: B (neither winner, nor loser)
Szentes was never a high-flyer and probably never will be unless a big money sponsor comes along. They play their games, they win some and they lose some. During the summer of 2014 they picked up a few quality players and especially László Weszelovszky (pictured) proved to be a valuable asset. Led by his goals, Szentes finished the season with 7 consecutive wins including 4 play-off victories to clinch 11th place. If they can keep the current squad together and maybe find 1 or 2 quality additions, Szentes could even challenge for a top 8 finish next year.
Top performer(s):
Name
|
Games played
|
Goals
|
Points collected
|
László Weszelovszky
|
30
|
66
|
33
|
Viktor Vörös
|
30
|
37
|
57.5
|
10 DVSE
Ranking: C (neither winner, nor loser)
Debrecen had a standout season last year finishing 6th. Compared to that result this year’s 10th place is a disappointment for sure. However, if you take a look at the players they lost last summer it is an anticipated drop in the rankings. Just some names that played for Debrecen last year. László Weszelovszky, Sasa Misic, Gergő Marnitz, Pedrag Jokic, and last but certainly not least, current Eger goalkeeper Branislav Mitrovic. The only consistent performer of that 6th place run last year that still plays in Debrecen is Márk Kállay (pictured) and, considering the limited number of quality Hungarian left-handers on the market, he could very well be on his way to a higher ranked team as well. Kállay’s performance this year certainly puts him with the top lefthanders of the competition, only behind Szolnok’s Norbert Madaras and Márton Vámos, in points collected.
Top performer(s):
Name
|
Games played
|
Goals
|
Points collected
|
Márk Kállay
|
28
|
51
|
45.6
|
9 BVSC
Ranking: D (Loser)
When you finish 7th in the previous year, and then bring in 3 top domestic players like Mátyás Pásztor (pictured), Béla Török, and Péter Kovács to add to last season’s number 2 top goal scorer Krisztián Létay. It is simply not acceptable to finish 9th after the play-offs and 10 points behind your closest rival in the regular competition. BVSC had nothing short of a nightmare season. Strangely so, they did produce the league’s top goal scorer in Mátyás Pásztor. However, apart from Pásztor the rest of the team did not perform as expected. Good news for the BVSC fans came this week though. They signed Károly Czigány for next year and Pásztor, among others, also signed a new deal. With a full season together already, expect coach Tamás Märtz to steer BVSC upwards again this coming autumn.
Top performer(s):
Name
|
Games played
|
Goals
|
Points collected
|
Mátyás Pásztor
|
30
|
75
|
66.1
|
8 Vasas
Ranking: C- (neither winner, nor loser)
Vasas is in a free fall down the rankings. The team were still champions in 2012 but has since then fallen from grace. This is all due to budget cuts and the following departure of key players. Simply compare the 2012 Vasas team with the team of last season and you will understand why they are struggling. Even last year they could still count on Drasko Brguljan (now OSC), Dániel Angyal (now Eger), Krisztián Manhercz (now Szeged), or Gergely Katonás (now FTC). The team has simply been falling apart in the last couple of years. Considering all this, they are not doing so horrible after all. They probably should have won the match up for 7th place against Kaposvár though. Still, Vasas has always been known for their youth program and youngsters like Tamás Gyárfás (pictured) or Tamás Sedlmayer will continue to come through the ranks. With this in mind, it is certain Vasas will rise once again. When this will happen, and how far they will fall before it happens, is something nobody knows.
Top performers:
Name
|
Games played
|
Goals
|
Points collected
|
Tamás Gyárfás
|
30
|
56
|
36.7
|
Tamás Sedlmayer
|
29
|
48
|
25.3
|
7 Kaposvár
Ranking: C+ (neither winner, nor loser)
Kaposvár is another team like Szentes that does a decent job throughout the season and plays their games in relative anonymity. The arrival of Zoltán Szécsi (pictured) from Eger 2 years ago pushed the team from bottom half to mid-table and that is exactly where they have been this season as well. Szécsi might be of veteran age, he is still among the best in the league at what he does. With 57% shot saving Szécsi still ranks 4th in the league behind both Szolnok goalkeepers and Eger shot stopper Branislav Mitrovic. For as long as their goalie will continue to perform, Kaposvár will continue to be a challenging for a top 8 finish. If he would decide to wrap up his career though, the club will be in trouble.
Top performers:
Name
|
Games played
|
Goals
|
Points collected
|
Zoltán Szécsi
|
30
|
57% saved
|
45 steals
|
Mihailo Parezanovic
|
30
|
42
|
23.2
|
6 Honvéd
Ranking: C- (neither winner, nor loser)
The first half of the season Honvéd looked comfortable to make a dash for 4th place. However, the team started to drop points after the winter break and also wasted numerous chances to take back this spot in the league after they lost it to FTC. On the final round of the competition they even dropped to 6th as Szeged came up and over. The main difference compared to last year’s 4th place run is Honvéd’s lack of goals. While they had 2 players in the top 10 last year with Koji Takei and Gergely Kiss, we only find the first Honvéd player at place 24 this year. Especially the drop in performance of Japanese international Takei has been shocking. The previous season he produced a rocking 67 goals shooting at an average of 50%, but this season he only contributed a measly 20 goals at 32%. Gergely Kiss (pictured) and Bence Fülöp did their best to compensate the lack of goals but could not carry the team to a top 4 ranking. Around them the competition are strengthening their teams and 23-year old Bence Fülöp has already been announced as Szolnok’s first signing for next season. Without Fülöp and Márton Lévai (who will join Debrecen next season) and without Takei’s goals, Honvéd hope to continue challenging for a top 4 finish with adding KSI’s Gergő Kovács, Róbert Fejős, goalkeeper Gergely Kardos to the squad for next year.
Top performers:
Name
|
Games played
|
Goals
|
Points collected
|
Bence Fülöp
|
31
|
43
|
33.3
|
Gergely Kiss
|
30
|
43
|
16.2
|
5 Szeged
Ranking: A (Winner)
If you lose your top sponsor, your head coach, all of your international top players, and still finish 5th in one of the strongest water polo leagues in the world - you are a winner. Szeged was in a bad place last year when their sponsor bailed on them and they had to cut their budget immensely. For a while it was not even certain if the 2011, 2012, and 2013 Cup winner would be able to continue their existence. Local hero Tamás Molnár stepped forward as new president to take the club by the hand and carry them into a new era. Finally there even was some budget available to bring new players like the Manhercz brothers from Vasas and Zsolt Varga (pictured) from Eger. Especially Varga rediscovered himself and emerged as the leader of the team. Together with the always reliable center Lukas Seman and veteran Csaba Kiss, they charged up the ranking in the 2nd half of the season. Money always rules in sports and especially in water polo, but if Szeged can keep this bunch together they will certainly be in the top 6 again next year.
Top performers:
Name
|
Games played
|
Goals
|
Points collected
|
Zsolt Varga
|
30
|
62
|
25.5
|
Krisztián Manhercz
|
29
|
48
|
31.5
|
Lukas Seman
|
29
|
41
|
51.7
|
4 FTC
Ranking: B (neither winner, nor loser)
It does not happen very often that a top 4 team sits on a negative goal difference. Somehow FTC managed this on several occasions during the season. Considering their lack of attacking power, the final 4th place finish is even more admirable. The FTC fans would be happy that the season is now over so they can finally give their heart a rest. No team in the league had more close finishes than this team from Budapest. FTC edged their opponents by only 1 goal difference on many occasions. It seems that the arrival of György Gerendás as technical advisor to assist coach Zsolt Varga (pictured together), and some funds here and there from generous sponsors, has done wonders. With 1 or 2 quality signings FTC can really make a breach with the competition in the battle for top 4.
Top performers:
It is difficult to appoint 1 or 2 top performers for FTC this year. The team is so balanced and there is no real standout in either goals or points, so credits to the entire FTC squad for a great overall performance and congratulations with 4th place.
3 Eger
Ranking: D (Loser)As defending champion the expectations are always high. This was especially the case with Eger this season after Norbert Dabrowski took over and completely remodeled the squad. Big money players like Márton Szivós, Norbert Hosnyánszky, and Milos Cuk (pictured) came in and the targets were set. Reach cup final, reach play-off final, reach Champions League Final Six, and challenge for gold on all occasions. The season got off to a bad start right away with a draw against UVSE and a loss to Szolnok and Eger never really recovered from this. They carried their poor domestic momentum into the playoffs and paid for it in the semifinal against OSC. Luckily there have been some positives this season as well for Eger. They finally achieved their goal of qualifying for the Champions League final 6 and additions Milos Cuk, Branislav Mitrovic, and Balázs Erdélyi have been very successful. Still, if they wish to challenge for the championship again next season, some action is required in the summer.
Top performers:
Name
|
Games played
|
Goals
|
Points collected
|
Branislav Mitrovic
|
31
|
61% saved
|
54 steals
|
Milos Cuk
|
32
|
56
|
42.9
|
Balázs Erdélyi
|
32
|
51
|
52.8
|
2 OSC
Ranking: B (neither winner, nor loser)
OSC won the jackpot when A-Híd decided to cut ties with Szeged and invest in a club from the capital. A new coach was brought in with Balázs Vincze and no less than 12 new players signed from various clubs. When a team is built from scratch like this it always takes some time for the pieces to fall into the right place. OSC developed into an entertaining team with some real quality. They qualified for the cup final in which they lost to Szolnok. They made it through the qualification for the Champions League, after which they lost in the elimination match to Szolnok. They qualified for the playoff final in which they lost to Szolnok. It seems there is a trend here. Although OSC are a strong team with many internationally renowned names, they were dominated by Szolnok on almost every occasion throughout the season. The manner in which the last 2 games of the final series enfolded was especially painful and confronting. It is nice to start a project like OSC did last summer, but a few modifications on the team are needed for their final push.
Top performers:
Name
|
Games played
|
Goals
|
Points collected
|
Bence Bátori
|
30
|
66
|
52.3
|
Ferenc Salamon (pictured)
|
27
|
48
|
44.7
|
Miklós Gór -Nagy
|
26
|
31
|
22.4
|
1 Szolnok
Ranking: A+ (Winner)
Everybody had Szolnok listed at the top in their predictions ahead of the season. Looking at their squad, they were almost obligated to fulfil these expectations without fail. Almost every one of their players is a World Champion, European Champion, or even an Olympic Champion. However, such high hopes can often lead to spectacular failures and crumble under the pressure of having to achieve these targets. Not for Szolnok though. Even with the relatively inexperienced head coach Sándor Cseh, they lived up to all these predictions and finished the season without a single domestic defeat. Szolnok has 4 players in the top 10 of goal scorers, and 5 players in the top 10 of the points ranking. The competition will be breaking their heads during the summer while thinking about a way to bring Szolnok off down. Reality is: there might not be a solution for this problem. The fresh champions have the best in the world in every position and a bench to be jealous of. Only in the center forward position there might be some room for improvement, but who needs a center when you have shooters like Dénes Varga (pictured), Stefan Mitrovic, Márton Vámos, or Milan Aleksic. Captained by Dániel Varga (pictured), Szolnok could very well be dominating Hungarian water polo for several years to come.
Top performers:
Name
|
Games played
|
Goals
|
Points collected
|
Dénes Varga
|
29
|
71
|
69.5
|
Norbert Madaras
|
31
|
53
|
65.5
|
Viktor Nagy
|
16
|
66% saved
|
33 steals
|
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