Videoton champions of Hungary again

Videoton FC have been crowned champions of Hungary for the second time, and with four games to spare, after nearest challengers Ferencvárosi TC were held 2-2 at Pécsi MFC.

Videoton had won 2-1 at title holders Debreceni VSC on Saturday to move 14 points clear of Ferencváros, who after Sunday's draw could no longer catch the First League leaders, who previously claimed first place in 2010/11. The Szekesfehervar-based team, managed by 46-year-old Spaniard Joan Carrillo Milán in his first campaign as head coach, went top after week four and never relinquished their advantage.

Key to their success was a club-record start of ten wins in a row, scoring 27 and conceding three. After a home loss to Debrecen, Videoton then went 15 games unbeaten with 21 of their 62 goals coming from Nemanja Nikolić, backed up by 19 assists by Adám Gyurcsó and 19 clean sheets from defenders Roland Juhász and Stopira, and goalkeeper Juan Calatayud. With 67 points, they are only seven behind Debrecen's record of 74 for a 30-game season.

After a season out of Europe, Videoton can look forward to a UEFA Champions League qualifying challenge in 2015/16. First, though, they will try to complete the double as they take on Ferencváros in the Hungarian Cup final on 20 May. Kecskeméti TE beat Videoton in the 2011 final to scupper their last double attempt.

Reaction:
Joan Carrillo, coach
It makes us extraordinarily happy to bring such joy to the country's best fans. We can thank hard work and our exceptional crowd in Szekesfehervar since the start of the season for this league title. Every day we have worked hard for results and the players wanted to win every time they stepped onto the pitch. I would like to thank everyone who believed in me for their trust. 

György Sándor, captain
We wanted to show more than we did last season, which was disappointing for us. A new coach was brought in with whom we could work, who prepared extraordinarily well and who trusted he could bring out the best in the group. Now we don't want to stop working because I would like to win the Hungarian Cup final against Ferencváros and finish the league with a record points total.

Nemanja Nikolić, top scorer
I was really nervous watching Ferencváros's match with Pécs and stood up for the whole second half as I couldn't bear sitting down. I felt great joy and relief when the refereee blew the final whistle. It's wonderful – I am very proud of the team.