12-Touch Hungarian Individual Championship Final in Debrecen: Thrills and Surprises in the Grand Finale

Last Saturday, Debrecen hosted the final round of the Hungarian 12-touch individual national championship at the Csapókerti Community Center. The event marked the conclusion of a three-round tournament series and was held as an open event for the first time, featuring additional activities. The calm and quiet environment provided ideal conditions for participants to compete in this Brazilian-style button football championship.

Live Coverage and Expert Commentary

The tournament was streamed live on the Szektorlabda Videos YouTube channel, featuring expert commentary by Tokaji Lili and Major Fanni. A short interview with Kondor Gábor added an extra layer of depth to the program, making the event even more engaging. Details here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqyHBTAo5oM

Puskás László’s Well-Deserved Championship Title

The tournament favorite, László Puskás, entered the final round with a significant lead, having won both the Budapest and Maroslele rounds. Although he finished fourth in Debrecen, his overall performance secured him the 2024 championship title.

Dramatic Turns and Unexpected Results

Defending champion Nándor Kovács had a challenging day. Despite a win against Gyula Deme, he drew 4-4 with István Marschal and suffered defeats, including a surprising 6-5 loss to Bence Major and a 6-3 defeat to Gábor Kondor, leaving him in 11th place.

Similarly, Péter Matkó struggled, losing multiple matches and finishing 12th. János Koczor, Puskás’ closest challenger, played for the bronze medal and defeated Puskás in a penalty shootout. However, this victory wasn’t enough to change the overall standings.

Bright Surprises: Major Bence and Balázs Kondor Shine

Bence Major delivered an impressive performance in just his second individual tournament. He advanced to the quarterfinals, defeating seasoned players like the Hungarian and Romanian champions, and secured a commendable sixth-place finish. Balázs Kondor remained undefeated in his group and progressed to the finals, where he was narrowly defeated by Levente Kiss.

Levente Kiss Triumphs in Debrecen

Levente Kiss had an outstanding day, winning the Debrecen round. Despite missing the Maroslele event and earning no points there, his victory and the closely contested standings allowed him to claim third place overall in the championship.

Podium Finishers of the Debrecen Round:

1. Levente Kiss (DSC-ALE)
2. Balázs Kondor (Testvériség SE)
3. János Koczor (Testvériség SE)

2024 12-Touch Individual Championship Final Standings:

1. László Puskás (DSC-ALE)
2. János Koczor (Testvériség SE)
3. Levente Kiss (DSC-ALE)

Congratulations to the winners and participants for their sportsmanship and performance! The next big event awaits in January at the European Championship in Serbia-Becej.