Debreceni VSC enters soccer elite

No Hungarian side has appeared in the UEFA Champions League for the last 14 years, since the days of Ferencvárosi TC in 1995/96. This year is different though, as Debreceni VSC managed to get there, first beating PFC Levski Sofia 2-1 in Bulgaria and beating them at home 2-0 last Tuesday; an aggregate 4-1 that allows the team to enter the Group Stage of the Champions League.

Debrecen celebrate their late winner in Sofia (©Getty Images) Photo Credit

It is a very memorable and joyous moment for the team and for Hungarian soccer in general. András Herczeg, Debrecen coach, summarize it well: “We’re proud to have brought so much joy to so many people and to be the first Hungarian team since Ferencváros in 1995 to qualify for the Champions League,” he said. “Levski are ranked 100 places above us so we are delighted to get past them. Each game in the group stage will be a wonderful memory for us all. Whoever we meet will be a great team with great players.”

A nice bonus on the side: Debreceni VSC has secured itself €7.1 million by qualifying for the Champions League, and that equals several years of the club’s budget. As all the future home Champions League matches will be held in Budapest and not in Debrecen city the hope is that the city itself will gain some exposure and advantages.

While waiting for the draw that will decide which team Debreceni VSC will have to face (and in the group there are teams of the caliber of Barcelona, AC Milan, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, just to mention a few) we wish the team flying the flag for Hungary the very best of luck.