Hungary have made the top-10 at the last nine editions of the IHF Men’s World Championship they took part in and the side looks to be on the up, especially after Chema Rodriguez took over the team after an early elimination at the EHF EURO 2022, when the European side played on their home court, but ended up on the 15th place.

The ascension has been well documented, with Hungary finishing on the fifth place at Egypt 2021 and doubling down on their form at the 2023 IHF Men’s World Championship, where they were eighth, after failing to secure a win in their last three matches. But that was enough to seal a ticket to the Olympic Qualification Tournaments, with Hungary aiming to return to the Olympic Games for the first time since London 2012.

At Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, Hungary failed to make it to the Olympic Qualification Tournaments, missing the chance to secure a place in the final competition. But this time around, they will host the Olympic Qualification Tournament in Tatabanya, with a big expectation for a sold-out arena in Tatabanya.

The home support will be more than needed, especially as the opponents look difficult to beat, with the line-up being arguably the most balanced, as Chema Rodriguez’s side will face Norway, Portugal and Tunisia, with only two tickets for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games available here.

Hungary hold the head-to-head record against Tunisia, but they lost all their last four matches against Norway, with the last win against the Scandinavian side being registered in 2014, therefore the hosts must really bounce back and defy the odds to secure a ticket at Paris 2024.

The clash against Portugal is also due to bring sparks, with the two sides locking horns for the fourth time in the last four years, with Portugal taking two wins, including a 27:20 win at Poland/Sweden 2023.

Nevertheless, Hungary finished on the fifth place at the EHF EURO 2024 and proved to be in fine form in the first part of this year, as their team clicked in attack, with stars like Bence Banhidi and Mate Lekai shining on the court. As younger players, like right wing Bence Imre or the All-Star right back at the 2023 IHF Men’s Junior World Championship, Zoran Ilic, are also coming of age, Hungary look to have all the ingredients to return to the Olympic Games for the first time since 2012 and earn their eighth appearance on their home court. 

Key players: Bence Banhidi (line player), Richard Bodo (left back), Mate Lekai (centre back)
History at the Olympic Games: 1936: 4th, 1972: 8th, 1976: 6th, 1980: 4th, 1988: 4th, 1992: 7th, 2004: 4th, 2012: 4th  
Olympic Qualification Tournament #3 (in Tatabanya, Hungary): Norway, Hungary, Portugal, Tunisia