Dzsudzsák urges Hungary to stand tall

Balázs Dzsudzsák has urged Hungary to "have the confidence to play their best" at this summer's UEFA European Under-19 Championship final tournament, pointing out that the squad have a rare opportunity to represent their country on home soil – and enjoy some "genuine success".

The FC Dinamo Moskva winger, whose own European U19 championship experience ended in disappointment in 2004/05, when Hungary missed out on the finals despite his five qualifying goals, knows only too well the golden opportunity his successors have.

"Football is loved so much in Hungary," he told UEFA.com. "Unfortunately, recently, we have not had the chance to participate at various [final] tournaments, but I hope this will be the first step. ... I hope they will be successful – and that then the senior national XI can start to do the same."

It may be more than a decade since he pulled on a Hungary shirt for the first time, but Dzsudzsák still vividly remembers the emotions it stirred. "It meant everything, because the biggest achievement and target of every football player is when he puts on the shirt of the national XI. Now I've been able to do that 50 times [with the senior side], and that's what I feel most proud of in my life."

Now captain of the senior side, Dzsudzsák's message for this summer's crop of players is clear: "[I hope they] have the confidence to play their best game, fight until the last moments, and feel what it means to wear the shirt and play in the national team. They have the opportunity to play on home soil, so a lot of fans will support them; Hungarian people are so eager to experience genuine success. These players are where they have dreamed about, and I really hope they will be successful."