Play-off analysis: Norway v Hungary
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Article summary
Norway have not lost to their UEFA EURO 2016 play-off opponents Hungary since 1981 – a reassuring fact as they bid to make it to their first EURO since 2000.
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Article body
Norway are unbeaten in over 30 years against Hungary as the sides come together in the UEFA EURO 2016 play-offs.
Dates
• Norway v Hungary, 20.45CET, Thursday 12 November
• Hungary v Norway, 20.45CET, Sunday 15 November
Previous meetings
• Hungary have won seven and lost five of their 17 meetings with Norway. They are without a victory in nine games against the Norwegians since a 4-1 success in Budapest in 1981.
Form guide
• Norway lost their only previous EURO play-off, missing out on a place at UEFA EURO 2004 with a 5-1 aggregate reverse to Spain.
• Norway also lost their sole FIFA World Cup play-off, 2-0 on aggregate to the Czech Republic, to sit out the 2006 finals.
• Hungary won just one of their last four qualifying matches (W1 D2 L1).
• Hungary are featuring in a UEFA European Championship play-off for the first time. They contested the 1998 World Cup play-offs but crashed out 12-1 on aggregate to Yugoslavia.
Trivia and links
• Norway came third behind Italy and Croatia in Group H; Hungary finished behind Northern Ireland and Romania in Group F.
• Norway's only previous EURO finals, UEFA EURO 2000, ended in a group stage exit. They did register one of the most memorable results in their history at that tournament, however, Steffen Iversen's header earning a 1-0 victory against Spain.
• Hungary have not figured at a major final tournament since the 1986 World Cup. They were semi-finalists in the 1964 and 1972 UEFA European Championships.
• Goalkeeper Gábor Kiraly's next appearance will be his 100th for Hungary. Defender Tom Høgli's next international will be his 50th for Norway.
• Norway midfielder Harmeet Singh turns 25 on 12 November – the day of the first leg – with Hungary defender Predrag Bošnjak reaching 30 the day after.
• Hungary defender Patrik Póor turns 22 on 15 November – the day of the second leg – with reserve goalkeeper Dénes Dibusz celebrating his 25th birthday the day after.