Ferencváros crowned Hungarian champions

Ferencváros have won their first Hungarian league title in 12 years with six games to spare despite a 2-1 defeat by 2013/14 champions Debrecen on Saturday.

The Green Eagles clinched their 29th championship after nearest rivals MTK Budapest lost 4-1 away at Paks, a result which ensured an insurmountable 22-point lead for Ferencváros, who have played a game more than their challengers. Winning the division for the first time since 2003/04 marks the end of a tumultuous period in Ferencváros's history, during which the club spent three seasons in the second tier having been relegated for off-pitch reasons.

Key to their success this season has been league top scorer Dániel Böde, as well as the steadying influence of Zoltán Gera. The veteran had been an important figure in Ferencváros's last title success before spending ten seasons in England. The mix of experience from the likes of Gera and Tamás Hajnál, and the youthful energy of András Radó, Roland Varga and outstanding goalkeeper Dénes Dibusz, ultimately set Hungary's most successful club apart from the rest.

"Of course I am happy that we have become champions, but in truth I will only be happy tomorrow," said Ferencváros coach Thomas Doll afterwards, with his side now looking to repeat last season's Hungarian Cup triumph. "We deserved to win the gold medal as we've had a great, successful season, but I would have been happier if more of our fans could have seen this achievement. They will expect to see a better game from us in the forthcoming Hungarian Cup semi-final."

Ferencváros can now look forward to a UEFA Champions League qualifying challenge in 2016/17, with Doll seeking reinforcements. "At European level this will still not be enough so we certainly need to strengthen in the summer. For now, I'm happy I can already celebrate my birthday next week as a champion."