The organized and determined Hungarian squad can be proud of its performance despite the unjust result.Continue reading
Tens of thousands of football fans marched from Heroes’ Square to Puskás Ferenc Arena to support the Hungarian squad at the Hungary-Portugal match, while other supporters gathered in front of the screens in Budapest and across the country. As life begins to return to normal, the first match of Hungary’s national team at the Euro 2020, despite the result, was a football celebration after all the tragedy, sadness, and limitations caused by the pandemic.
An unmatched special atmosphere emerged in Budapest, as this is not only the first time that the Hungarian capital is one of the host cities of the European Football Championships, but Puskás Arena is the only stadium of the tournament which is operating at full capacity. Hungarian football fans did not let the national team down this time either, as the stadium was sold out, with the vast majority of tickets purchased by domestic supporters. Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo was also happy to finally play in front of so many fans.
The marches that Hungarian fans organize to support their national team have always been admired, and perhaps even unparalleled, however, their march to the first match of Hungary’s national team at the Euro 2020 attracted even more attention after the tragic third wave of the coronavirus pandemic in Hungary.
Fans started gathering in Heroes’ Square around 1 pm, and by the time the march started about two hours later, at least five thousand people had gathered. The crowd, led by members of the organizer Carpathian Brigade supporters’ group, marched along Dózsa György and Stefánia Roads towards Puskás Arena with tricolor flags, banners, and accompanied by red, white, and green smoke. We collected some photos of this memorable football celebration.
Hungarian fans gathering in Heroes’ Square. Photo: Zoltán Balogh/MTI
The front of the crowd marching along Dózsa György Road, holding up a banner which reads ‘Hungary’. Photo: Zoltán Balogh/MTI
Fans on the way to the match.. Photo: Zoltán Balogh/MTI
The march was accompanied by red, white, and green smoke. Photo: Zoltán Balogh/MTI
Hungarian fans arriving at Puskás Aréna. Photo: Zoltán Balogh/MTI
Not even a pinch of space left in Puskás Arena. Photo: Zsolt Szigetváry/MTI
Those who could not obtain a ticket for the match gathered in the official fan-zone in City Park, next to Vajdahunyad Castle. The supporters cheered for the national team, holding up flags, banners, and cheering sticks.
The official fan-zone in City Park was also full. Photo: Zoltán Balogh/MTI
People from all age groups gathered to support the national team in front of the screen next to Vajdahunyad Castle. Photo: Zoltán Balogh/MTI
Fans at Vajdahunyad Castle. Photo: Zoltán Balogh/MTI
The fans’ faces say it all. Photo: Zoltán Balogh/MTI
Featured photo by Zoltán Balogh/MTI