Iceland vs Hungary - preview

VS

- Latest events

ICELAND

·         If you make Cristiano Ronaldo pout like a little child, you must know that you did a good job.   

·         Iceland used their strengths, used their physicality to frustrate the smaller Portuguese players, and ended up being rewarded with an historic draw.    

·         Nothing will mean nothing if they are unable to beat Hungary though, in the game they saw, before the competition, as the one they could get all the points.     

HUNGARY

·         Their win was the biggest upset of the first round, just outshined by Northern Ireland over Ukraine.  

·         In this lackluster group, that win is a major boost and Hungary knows another win will qualify them, and that’s before they have to face Portugal.     

·         Surely Storck won’t want to depend on the last game against the powerhouse to guarantee qualification, so expect Hungary to try and shock Europe again.     

- Areas to follow

ICELAND

·         Defense

They gave everything they had, fought hard, frustrated their opponents and ended up earning the draw they wanted. They will face completely different opposition though, players that can better withstand their physicality and, more importantly, a team that won’t try to overload them, meaning concentration levels have to be even higher.   

·         Midfield

With Gunnarson enforcing, and Sigurdsson creating, Bjornsson and Gudmunsson spreading the game in the wings, all tall and with good feet, the Icelandic are a team that quickly goes from end-to-end in numbers, and can create danger if allowed to quick transition.

·         Attack

Bodvarsson and Sigthorson are two strikers that move out to the flanks to get the ball and hold it to await their teammates runs so they create danger. That’s how they scored against Portugal, with Ajax striker winning an aerial challenge over Danilo to create the counter. They will have more chances against Hungary to show their own finishing skills.

             

HUNGARY

·            Defense

Fiola will be missing, but his replacement knows the mission will be the same that they had against Austria, try to withstand Iceland’s pressure and rely on experienced Király to stop any shot that might go on target. If they do the same job, Hungary fans will roar again.

·             Midfield

Dzuszdszak was a bit off of his best, but he now counts with a great little helper in the form of Lazslo Kleinheisler. The Bremen player is also very creative, and it was him that combined with Szalai for the first goal. Now they will have to fight bigger opposition, but they can definitely take a challenge on.

·             Attack

 Szalai will start, after finally getting the goal, after almost 2 years of drought. Steibler will look to try and sneak in somewhere, but Hungary is motivated and whoever plays knows that their mission is not complete without the defensive part of it.

- FIL’S VERDICT

 These sides provided two of the biggest upsets in the opening round of group games. Iceland held Portugal to a 1-1 draw - much to the chagrin of Cristiano Ronaldo - while Hungary recorded a 2-0 win against an Austrian side currently 10th in the Fifa rankings (above both England and Italy).

For Hungary, making their first appearance at a major tournament for 30 years, it was very much a victory worth waiting for. That was certainly the case for striker Adam Szalai, whose opening goal in Bordeaux was his first in 41 games for club and country - ending a barren run stretching back to December 2014. It was also Hungary's first at the European Championship finals since their last appearance, in 1972.

While Hungary are trying to recapture past glories, this is new territory for their opponents. The reaction to Iceland's spirited draw with the Portuguese was overshadowed by Cristiano Ronaldo's ungracious remarks. The Real Madrid forward complained: "I thought they'd won the Euros the way they celebrated at the end… this shows a small mentality and they are not going to do anything in the competition."

Iceland and Hungary both surprised and they cannot do the same tonight, but the international experience of the Icelandic is a good advantage to have in a game that should be decided by small details.

FIL’S PREDICTION

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