Hungary mourns 'Magical Magyar' Buzánszky

Former Hungary defender Jenő Buzánszky, the last surviving member of the legendary 'Magical Magyars' lineup of the 1950s, has passed away at the age of 89.

Capped 49 times by his country between 1950 and 1956, Buzánszky was a key figure for Hungary's iconic 'Aranycsapat' – Golden Team – who won Olympic gold in 1952 and became central European champions the following year. He also featured in Hungary's sensational 6-3 and 7-1 victories against England and their 1954 FIFA World Cup campaign, which ended in a loss to West Germany in the Berne final.

The right-back was the only member of that Hungary side to play his club football outside the capital, Budapest, spending almost all his career at Dorogi FC, for whom he made 274 league appearances. After calling time on his playing days in 1960 Buzánszky went into coaching, holding the reins at Dorogi three separate times before later becoming a member of the presidential board of the Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ).

Former MLSZ president and chairman of FIFA's Executive Committee György Szepesi – widely considered the Magyars' 12th man, as a famous radio reporter – said: "Ever since he first stepped onto the pitch for Dorog in 1947, I was very good friends with Jenő and remained so until his death. He was a great person. After the 3-2 defeat by West Germany in the 1954 World Cup final we cried together; he as a player, me as the radio reporter covering the match. We would always laugh or cry together – more often with joy."