Honours even between Hungary and Finland
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
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Hungary 0-0 Finland
It was a day for defences as Hungary and Finland played out a goalless draw in their final UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group E fixture in Budapest.
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Hungary and Finland played out a goalless draw in their final UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group E fixture in Budapest.
Despite Friday's 2-1 defeat by Sweden, Finland started in confident mood, Alexander Ring threatening with a 20-metre drive that was safely gathered by Gábor Király. However, Hungary came closer to taking the lead in the tenth minute when Tamás Priskin raced on to Vladimir Koman's pass, and produced a low shot that was well saved by Otto Fredrikson. The hosts threatened again after 33 minutes, György Sándor heading over after good work by Tamás Hajnal, and a minute later Priskin's volley on the turn flew narrowly high and wide.
The second half began in attritional fashion with both sides defending stubbornly and neither team threatened a breakthrough until the 73rd minute when Tim Sparv's 25-metre drive was superbly tipped over by Király. Roman Eremenko nearly won it for the visitors in added time but Király was again on hand to ensure that Hungary – who ended their campaign in third place, nine points clear of Finland – avoided defeat in what may be the last game at the Ferenc Puskás Stadion before its renovation.