Hungary bounce back to end long finals wait

Hungary recovered from the disappointment of missing out on an automatic UEFA EURO 2016 berth to reach their first major final tournament since the 1986 FIFA World Cup via the play-offs.

Bernd Storck's side had a seemingly firm grip on second place in Group F heading into the final match of the regular qualifying phase, only to come unstuck at the last in a 4-3 loss to bottom side Greece. Their opponents' sole win of the campaign, that allowed Romania to grab second spot in the section and a ticket to France.

To the play-offs, then, where goalkeeper Gábor Király picked up his 100th cap as Hungary regained their poise. László Kleinheisler struck on his senior debut to secure a 1-0 triumph in Norway, and Tamás Priskin hit a splendid effort in a 2-1 home win to send the Magyars through to their first UEFA European Championship since 1972.

Reaction
Bernd Storck, Hungary coach
I'd like to congratulate my team. They played very well; not just tonight, but over the past few weeks, and the foundations for tonight were laid last Thursday. I took some risks in Oslo; [Kleinheisler] was new, but I was convinced he could play at this level.

We have many players who don't play regularly with their clubs, but I trust them – they play with confidence and without fear. The level and intensity of their play was amazing today, and I think we deserve 100% to go to France. We took the right strategy today and in Oslo, and that was the key to our success.

Gábor Király is still going strong at 39©Getty Images

Gábor Király, Hungary goalkeeper
It was a great success for the whole country and I think about the ex-players for the national team over the last 30, 40 years, and the coaches who did a lot of work. In the end, we reached our target of flying to France and this is most important for our country. I cannot believe it today, but maybe tomorrow we can start to enjoy it.

I try to keep my fitness good and I believe in the work I do. I'm 39 years old now and I still play and I want to work; I don't know how long [I will keep playing] but I enjoy football. I think we have to first enjoy this new feeling and after that we'll need to start preparing.

Tamás Priskin, Hungary forward
[After starting the Group F campaign with a 2-1 home loss to Northern Ireland] we played very compact and didn't concede many goals; we were very good in defence and won important games, and I'm very happy today that we played against a very good side and reached an important target.

Was the opener against Norway the goal of my life? I think so – it was a very important goal. And I would like to dedicate my goal to Márton Fülöp, my very good friend. I think it’s a big, big [achievement] for me and my team-mates also, but I'm very happy that we did this big thing because it's very important for my country.

Key stats
Best result: third place 1964
Coach: Bernd Storck
Leading scorers: all-time – Ferenc Puskás (84); current – Zoltán Gera (24)
Most appearances: all-time – József Bozsik (101); current – Gábor Király (100)

Record EURO appearances
Overall: Gábor Király (39)
Final tournament: Flórián Albert (4)

Record EURO goals
Overall: Zoltán Gera (12)
Final tournament: Ferenc Bene (2)