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For Paksi FC, who have not won in the top division since March 3, the Hungarian Cup has been a kind of salvation in recent weeks. Among the five championships lost and six without a win in a row, the team’s only success – admittedly, not even in regular time – was ensured by this series. However, they danced at the edge of the blade even in the home of the NB II Vasas, in the 90th minute the Angyalfölds were still on the verge of advancing. Then came Kristóf Papp, who saved the match for overtime, and then in extra time, the teammates scored three more goals for Vasas…

Another question is that the current opponent, i.e. Kisvárda, cannot be too proud of his past months either. Let’s not beautify it, not just for the past months, but rather for the entire 2023-2024 season. While the club at the eastern end of the league is a hair’s breadth away from being relegated, MK has a historic record behind it, repeating the semi-final performance that has been considered a club record since 2021.

The visitors gave the first pass, and the home team had the first real chance, with Barna Tóth shooting just over the goal from ten meters away. Kisvárda then took the lead after a corner on the left Bernardo Matic headed for the Paks gate (0–1). In the middle of the half, the Várda players, who were playing without any propriety, looked particularly energetic. Despite this, the green and white team equalized very quickly: after a pass from János Hahn, Angelföld’s savior Papp shot from 14 meters flat, well placed in the long bottom (1–1). The remaining time from the first half passed without a goal-scoring attempt – at that point the struggle was more dominant.

After a turn, György Bognár’s ensemble turned from its first opportunity to do something: this time it was started by Tóth Hahn, who won the race against Maticc and then shot from 13 meters slightly to the right into the bottom right (2-1). Although Kisvárda seemed to have a bit more possession of the ball, Paks remained the more dangerous in the period after the goal.

In the 68th minute, Péter Szappanos, a member of the national team, put the pressure on the home crowd, knocking the ball out of his hands after a pass from the right, and also tripping his own defender, Erik Silye. However, the Várda attackers did not come to their senses quickly enough to take advantage of the mistake…

In the hope of equalization risked more and more the team with the red shirt, and the host team could take advantage of this and counter to their liking. In the 85th minute, the combined play of the two substitutes, Dániel Böde and Zsolt Haraszti, could have put a point in the place of the excitement, but the latter bombed a meter and a half near the right post. Driton Camaj could have avenged the missed opportunities in the 91st minute, but with the effective contribution of the Paks defense, he hit the crossbar with a bomb released from 12 meters. Another goal was not scored in the remaining three minutes of extra time: the green and white team won the match 2-1.

On the other side, Nyíregyháza, the leader of the second division, welcomes the record champion of the NB I, Ferencváros, in Balmazújváros.

Paks is in the final again after 2022. Which rival is following him? Let’s just note: two years ago, Ferencváros was the opponent of Atomváros in the Puskás Arena, and then Budapest won confidently (3-0) in front of 40,000 spectators.

FOOTBALL
HUNGARIAN CUP, PRELIMINARY
Paksi FC–Kisvárda FC 2–1 (K. Papp 27., Hahn 53., or B. Matic 21.)

It will be held on Wednesday
20.00: Nyíregyháza Spartacus–Ferencváros TC

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