How Hungary's Government Sabotaged Their Own World Cup Dreams

[@rodycaz8984]

So Hungary's "golden team", which already was arguably the greatest national side ever assembled, could've been even better? That's crazy.

[@Party22Putte]

And not only Szűcs. Barça's first super star László Kubala only played three times for Hungary.

[@tigercap100]

Communism is a horrible cancer

[@Party22Putte]

@@tigercap100 Amen

[@GabrielRodriguez-mc4me]

@@Party22Putte Another player named Istvan Neyers played only a few games for Hungary, but he was a star for Inter Milan.

[@rodycaz8984]

@@tigercap100 Agreed. Fuck communism.

[@olayinkaamara385]

I know of Sandor Szucs, I actually came across him several months back due to his tragic early death after trying to move to Austria. Only slightly afterwards did I realize just how brilliant a centre-back he was.

[@ManishKumar-zc2pv]

How old are you man?? This guy died in 1951.

[@olayinkaamara385]

Of course I never knew him in person since he died years before I was born (2000 for anyone who's wondering). What I meant was that I first came across him online a couple of months ago (research and things like that when you come across players you've never heard of before).

[@gumiteam3625]

Szűcs Sándor *

[@rodycaz8984]

It should be noted that performance-enhancing drugs were not prohibited in football back then.

[@natalkumar6132]

And they all look like they might have done it but , I'd not think it was they way we used it .

[@badmanwhitesuburb6117]

If everyone can use I guess it’s fair

[@areebsiddiqui758]

There is literally no concrete evidence supporting the fact that the German players had an unfair advantage in the final. It has of course been popularised as propaganda by the media (read as British media).

[@maba1503]

Every team has unfortunate match from time to time... Hungarys unfortunate match was the the final in Bern... especially the second half. So I dont think it was about the performance enhancing drugs.

[@MiklosHajma]

@@areebsiddiqui758 I don't think it was drugs either. But should also be noted that our team was much more tired than the German side. We had to defeat Brazil (Battle of Berne) where basically no one left uninjured, and Uruguay in extra time. Meanwhile Germany had an easy 6-1 win against Austria which was not expected at all, and a harder one against Yugoslavia. And on top of that, refereeing was abysmal too.

[@joseph-fernando-piano]

I appreciate your consistently referring to Szucs being "murdered" by the government, which really emphasizes the evil nature of what was done to him...

[@MikeyPaper]

Oy vey!

[@dkwsu16]

SR Bosnia he didn’t do anything wrong, but seeing your profile pic, I know why your so deluded Fucking commie.

[@b__c7538]

@SR Bosnia Also shouldn't kill them cuz we're not God and only God can judge him. But if you want to play God then go ahead.

[@NuanceJournalism]

@SR Bosnia if your a communist surely you don’t believe in god

[@lars2k901]

@SR Bosnia Go to Venezuela kid, see how youl like it there.

[@DrunksNotDead]

Hungarian here. Good job, thank you for the effort!

[@jimbell122]

🇭🇺🇵🇱

[@guyinyourbushes6632]

You guys should’ve prevailed in the group of death. Would’ve done better then France 😭😭

[@rotisseriechicken9466]

You guys are developing a decent team with some young stars. I could see you guys playing in the World Cup 2022 and making at least round of 16

[@sammybesley]

Love these docos. Had honestly never heard of Sandor before. Very interesting stuff yet again. Keep them coming please

[@massaganaa]

Even though they not bring in as many views as your 'normal' videos, please continue making these kind of vids. For me personally they are my fav.

[@timothygalea137]

I watch each and every single one of your videos, but this type of video is my favourite. The amount of research you do is amazing and so so interesting thanks for brighting up my day mate :)

[@michaelplaysbass]

Alfie, these videos are incredible. I can't understand why they aren't more popular. You do such fantastic work, and even if there aren't more views (again, that's bonkers!), please know that they are sincerely appreciated for all the effort that goes into them. Long Live the People's Channel

[@NazriB]

Lies again? Sunday Bell + Spotify Barcelona + Spank Bang + Sell Backside + Small Boy

[@scalse]

Wow I have never heared of Szűcs Sándor and his story. And you did all the reshearch about Hungary's history at that time, I think this is one of the best documentary like videos I have ever watched.

[@EugenesBackpack]

This guy is the greatest defender I had never heard of

[@Allancombat]

As someone from Poland I can say that I'm big fan of Hungary nowadays and in the past as historically we have been allies and Hungary has helped us a lot as we have them

[@coffeewtati]

a complete and truly interesting video/work.. a sad romantic story as well as an inspiring telling of someone just trying to be free. thank you HITC SEVENS!

[@haamory1030]

As a history nerd myself, i always love watch these type of videos. Thank you mate, and all my respect for the research.

[@matepeto2602]

Greetings from Hungary!♥️

[@Hoffbrau13]

@HITC Sevens As a Hungarian and a lover of history, GG! You might consider making a video of László Kubala. He was badass. Cheers!

[@mitasinharoy1327]

@Jonathan Lu Juve ultra god

[@spngrm]

A very informative video as always, about a difficult topic and a dark place in history. I especially commend the effort you've put into learning the proper pronunciation of Hungarian names and places, it's a hard language to get right and you did better than most non-Hungarian speakers would have.

[@MiklosHajma]

Wanted to comment the same. Most content creators don't make any effort to get the pronunciation right.

[@user-tm5cu1ir1c]

Szűcs, Zsengellér are not the easy ones :))

[@treekangaroo.7691]

seven players who were eligible to play for better national teams than they chose to play for like how alphonso davies is eligible to play for ghana and christian pulisic is eligible to play for croatia

[@mrworldwidegenghiskhan9959]

Aubameyang was eligible to play for France (because he was born and raised there), and Spain (because his mum's Spanish)

[@acmeholloway]

treekangaroo. zaha and iwobi could both play for england

[@hennes2715]

@@mrworldwidegenghiskhan9959 think auba just thought he would not make it... poor guy lol

[@MrRendulic]

Yea i wish Kristian Pulišić chose Hrvatska/Croatia

[@SantomPh]

@@MrRendulic he was already on track to be a USMNT memvber before getting a Croatian passport. The passport is strictly a convenient tool for him. Maybe you should ask Mark Viduka ,Josep Skoko and Mile Jedinak why they chose Australia

[@bendekbotond4707]

Awesome video very informative. Iam Hungarian, but I dont think I've ever heard about Sándor Szűcs's story before. It was very interesting to watch. 😁🇭🇺

[@arturs2436]

Correction: Miklos Horthy was not an General but in fact an Vice-Admiral otherwise would be weird how such an officer ascended up to command the Austro-Hungarian Navy by the end of WW1.

[@masugoupil]

also the majority of hungarian jews were sent to dachau, not auschwitz

[@vincentlewis838]

I spent most of the last half of the video with my mouth open and saying wow in disbelief. I never knew any of this, so thanks for the education. Brilliant work mate.

[@advaithsrinivas1699]

This channel deserves a lot of appreciation for bringing such informations! This video is not only educational abt Football but also abt the History of The harsh governance of Hungary!

[@robertperrella4194]

hitc sevens has the best football videos with such impeccable quality research !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jhonyguzman6857]

Wow. This man’s story deserves a movie

[@keeperrr96]

Thanks for covering Hungary's historical teams, topics! Really like these content (ofcourse, I am from Hungary) :)

[@edobrien2883]

Loved this video! Hope you can make more videos that cover football and history because you are very good at telling the story.

[@Rmcfcfc]

Small but passionate! Here I am! Please keep on

[@calebmufcthompson]

My heart dropped listening to this ngl, the world is a cruel place.

[@yuvrajbahl7909]

Imagine if he actually got a chance to show his talent in a European team we might have seen one of the best cb of his era

[@georgebrindley1752]

Thanks for making this! You truly are the people's channel.

[@dedasalmeida9047]

Seriously Alfie do more of these videos I enjoyed pretty much and I learned about the dictatorship in Hungary, great stuff man ...

[@bso1469]

Im shockd i never knew about this before as a hungarian. Fascinating

[@Crusaderglenn]

Yeah,neither did i.Shocking O_O !

[@tommanners1116]

I know that you don't get the views to make these regularly, but I absolutely love them when you do. Keep them going!

[@jonathanrecinos7905]

Make a video about Honduras or a Honduran player please. Out country is in really bad shape right now with the hurricane and maybe your channel can help raise awareness, love your videos btw

[@balintbiro8973]

It isn't just Szűcs, there is Deák Ferenc he scored like 68 goals in one season(Hungarian record) in a mid-tier team, also Kubala a Barca legend, some people claim he was as good as Puskás. That Hungarian generation was filled with world-class players, they could have won everything for the next 10 years if they would have stuck together.

[@rishavmondal6237]

videos like these really do help me feel better in my depression sometimes

[@jacobk9641]

Great vid, would love to learn more of Hungary

[@ipodzrock1]

Doesn't matter if you make some dumb video on 7 footballers who like dogs or a documentary like this video Alfie. All you're hard work is appreciated and brings us so much joy every single day!

[@arthurlecomte8950]

As a Dutchman I stand together with the Hungarians. I know the pain of missed chances of winning the world cup

[@akosturi-kiss7712]

Thanks! As a Hungarian sometemes I am wondering about Netherlands' 3 lost final and several exelent result and what Dutch people can feel. You deserved a gold medal.

[@MrBlazemaster525]

Amazing vid mate, absolutely brilliant. Perchance a man can request a video detailing Paulino Alcantara(Barcelona and Philippines)'s second act as a Franco supporter?

[@jamiewalker4287]

Alfie's deep dives are what I'm here for. Love it.

[@albertrosello5933]

Amazing story and fantastically explained👏

[@krisztiankalocsai4299]

I feel so proud, to be Hungarian right now.

[@tigercap100]

I'm with you

[@krisztiankalocsai4299]

@Emilian Ionut yes, obviously I was referring to the communist government. Yes I'm proud we had communism...my god you can't be that dumb. I'm proud because Hungary had one of the best teams and I'm Hungarian too. However from your name, I assume your Romanian so I'm not suprised, why you're toxic.

[@krisztiankalocsai4299]

@Emilian Ionut if I were in your place I would shut up with the "communist regime" after Ceausescu. Besides if your not toxic why did you attack me? Just because your Romanian? Or your jealous that you've never had a good football team?

[@krisztiankalocsai4299]

@Emilian Ionut yes, you did attack me. I see you don't really understand what I said...or you don't want to. I am not proud because the state has executed a great footballer. I'm proud that he was Hungarian, and I'm Hungarian too. Yes, you're right, I wasn't clear, so I'll clear it for you. I'm proud to be Hungarian. I'm proud to our history, culture, language, songs, folklores, traditions and so many more things. I'm proud that I'm from the same nation as this once great player from too. You don't understand why I'm even more proud after this video? If somebody says something positive about your country, (your country's people in this case) you feel proudness. This isn't a thing that should be explained. And to the video you just sent me: yes we suffered a defeat, no excuse. But if I'm correct in euro 2016 we got in the round of 16, and topped our group, while you finished last. And now we have a chance to play in Euro 2021. Tomorrow will compete against a team (Iceland) that knocked you out. In the Nations League we currently occupy 2nd spot with 7 points, and a +1 goal difference, while you occupy 3rd spot with 4 points, and with a -4 goal difference. A Hungarian team is competing in the UCL. We can argue which team is better, but it's useless

[@krisztiankalocsai4299]

@Emilian Ionut but I agree with you, I don't like communism either.

[@Nico-kh8qo]

Im Hungarian so I’m really excited for this one

[@abelvasquez1612]

WOW. What a tragic story. Great video!

[@rowanchheda2157]

The best football channel I’ve ever come across

[@ethanbober2634]

I wish people paid attention to their 1938 team..Hungary dominated for so long internationally but nobody ever looks to things before Puskas

[@callumpollock403]

i love these types of videos, very informative and eye opening :)

[@MrJanlis]

Iam just leaving a comment so the algorithm helps this man make more vids in this style :)

[@nickgrch]

Another superb video, mate. Please make many more

[@Rhorus]

Wish you could one day only make these style of videos, my favourite by far.

[@saintroddy]

8:08 So if Szucs had managed to flee Hungary and get his move to Torino, he probably would've been caught in the Superga Basilica tragedy. He really couldn't win.

[@dixel_1804]

no, he tried to flee in 1951, Superga Basilica tragedy happened in 1949

[@V4zz33]

Thank you for the tribute!

[@tompotter7017]

I never heard of this before. really enjoy these types of videos

[@82Novica]

Fantastic vid, best one yet

[@jmj7599]

Thank you for this story. I did not know of it. Please make more videos like this. I hit like and I subscribed.

[@maba1503]

Great vid! (Especially that half sentance about nowadays politics in the end) Cheers from Hungary ;) (Can you make a vidio about internationals who could have played for Hungary? Like Süle or Kurányi)

[@evancarney1039]

Love these vids

[@jimmybesta]

Good Lord matey! I am Hungarian and thought I knew everything about our football. Shame, I didn't know this about poor Szűcs. I'm in your debt, pal. Thank you.

[@acceleratorpt4262]

nice video keep going Alfie

[@anant1462]

Phenomenally fascinating video

[@exa-roli3954]

I'm sorry yeah but at 1:59 He pronounced his name impeccably. Hats off.

[@depekthegreat359]

In this and other worlds,I am a 3rd liker of this video but this is the most tearful documentary video which I have ever watched as I am extremely so sad that the legendary centreback Sandor Szucs sir was being executed mercilessly by the criminal based government in such an extremely so fantastic country of Hungary which is one of my favourite countries,my good friend Alfie and other good friends only!!!:'(He must have only been with his love of his life before and after his marriage with his girlfriend and created his family daily forever in their respective lives but tearfully,this did not happen but hopefully,every generations that we would be born,this would happen and I must only be praying daily to all the goddesses of all the religions in this and other worlds!!!The nation of Hungary has lost such an iconic player who could have guided his national team to a FIFA World Cup trophy in the year 1954 where in the 1940's and 1950's,the Hungarian national team were one of the strongest national teams in this and other worlds alongside Uruguay,Italy,Argentina and Austria,good friends!!!:'(

[@chriswoodtoarsenal]

It’s 11pm in New Zealand and I have school tomorrow and I need to get up at 6. I don’t give a fuck, this video is hella interesting. Keep up the fantastic work!

[@mamayatannaq]

Do Something about the downfall of Romania s national team, from the glory days of the 90s till today. Thanks!

[@MrBark1969]

@Παναγιώτης Γεωργίου not that simple

[@evelyneverettgreen]

More of these great historical videos please

[@jimharkin8802]

Interesting video, enjoyed watching it.

[@harveyconn-howard8425]

Documentary vids>>>>>normal vids

[@Steel-cowboy]

My dad was a 5.7ft centre half and was prolly the best defender in jamaica but never got called up because he was too short for them.he could play all over the pitch except gk

[@GarkKahn]

It wasn't enough to get rid of just a player Later they got rid of an entire generation of their athletes and potentially a semi-permanent place as an elite contendant in almost every sport for the rest of the century

[@fhlostonparaphrase]

If he had succeeded in defecting/fleeing, he wouldn't be part of the of the team anymore though, no? (Keeping your life and being free is more important than playing football of course.)

[@Esharab_am]

This was like a History class

[@staplegun4995]

Is it just me who noticed that both HITC channels have pushed their uploads to an hour later than the original? Not complaining I actually love this better than original

[@white_will_smith]

Its because of daylight saving hours in the UK

[@staplegun4995]

@@white_will_smith Oh that makes sense

[@King_Cova]

@@white_will_smith except we don't call it day light savings time.

[@EduardoGrassoTV]

Guess that guy was right about Hungarian communists...

[@Nakoz007]

He was Based

[@johnburns9634]

Thank you for this video.

[@Dovidius]

I mean sadly i can't share this to a friend that is interested in that type of content, but I mean, I still can support this.

[@razerow3391]

Honved were also massive. Wolves beat them and got called "best in the world" by English tabloids which caused an argument. A french reporter saying Real Madrid were the best. Thus what we now call the Champions' League was born.

[@thefinalwhistle1623]

champions league is entirely different from european cup. commercial league would be a better name or losers league given most aren't champions

[@danielgorog2646]

While I'm proud you covered a Hungarian topic, and most crucial information is correct, i have to point out some inaccurracies. It is widely believied, the authorities set an example by murdering Szűcs, who was choosen for his extramarital affair and for him being dispensable for the national team. In fact he was not selected for the national team for two years before his death, his postion already filled by Lóránt and Börzsei. By the time of the 1954 world cup Szűcs would have been 32-33 years old and unlikely he could have made a difference. Hungary concedeing several goals was rather a consequence of the general offensive approach of the game, that worked quite well most of the time, and what is somewhat similar to the Brazilian Joga Bonito approach. His name is pronounced as Shaandor Suech.

[@danielgorog2646]

And please dont say, the Kingdom of Hungary was formed after WW1, it was formed in 1000. WW1 only meant the end of personal union with Austria in this aspect.

[@mrkly1]

Video idea: How the Duchatelet family and their activity as owners destroyed numerous clubs around Europe

[@benjaminrea5027]

This was very good

[@laj-xv7ez]

Day 3: Battle of the Red Devils: All time AC Milan squad vs All time Manchester United squad

[@brothacaim]

also benfica

[@zacpz9230]

These are the best videos

[@_spacyzuma]

I like your videos. Very entertaining and educational. Keep it up! Also, following Ademola Lookman's horrible penalty yesterday, please could you do a video of top 10 or 20 worst penalties in football history? Cheers!!

[@yj1489]

The thumbnail was weird

[@t54x30]

yes I can agree

[@frieswilliams9199]

yes I can agree

[@kel9855]

Sandor Szucs was murdered in June 1951. The claim is that Hungary with Szucs as centre-back was stronger than the Hungary with Lorant as centre-back. Szucs was only 28 in 1950, still in his prime, unlike in 1954 when he would have been 32. Hungary's unbeaten streak started on June 4, 1950. However, their run of 2 losses in 60 games (W 49 D 9 L 2) started even a year earlier, on May 2, 1949. For the 1950 World Cup, Europe's qualifying campaign started in June 1949 (Sweden vs. Ireland), while some other groups started as late as April 1950 (Spain vs. Portugal). A lot of FAs even declined invitations to Brazil, including Scotland, France, Turkey, Portugal and India. As a result, only 13 teams showed up in Brazil. My burning question was: Why didn't Hungary participate in the 1950 World Cup? The World Cup was practically open to any country that's willing to come. Hungary had been involved in official competitions before the World Cup qualifying campaign (the Balkan Cup in 1948-49, The Central European Championship, the predecessor of the European Nations' Cup, in 1949, etc.). So it's not as if the Hungarian national team wasn't ready for international competitions after the War. Had Hungary participated in the 1950 World Cup, would they have beaten Brazil at the Maracana? Brazil beat Spain 6-1 and Sweden 7-1 there, but what about a stronger Hungary with Szucs at centre-back? As a reference, Hungary defeated Sweden 5-0 in November 1949, 7 months before the World Cup. More references: Hungary in the 10 games before the 1950 World Cup (just happened to be the start of the 60-game run): W7 D2 L1 GF44 GA16 Brazil in the 10 official international games before the 1950 World Cup: W7 D1 L2 GF36 GA13 A hypothetical Brazil vs Hungary matchup in the final group stage would have been a clash of the Titans, enough for every football fan to salivate. I've seen an ESPN article on the reason of Hungary not going to Brazil, because the Hungarian FA couldn't afford it. Not sure how true it is. This reason is so lame-duck, I tend not to believe it. www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37372820/hungary-1954 "They didn’t go to the 1950 World Cup because the Hungarian government couldn’t afford it. " So you can blame the communist regime for killing Szucs that Hungary missed their best chance for winning the World Cup in 1954. OTOH, I would blame it on the Hungary government/FA, for skipping the 1950 World Cup and missing their equally best, if not BETTER, chance to win a World Cup, BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T AFFORD THE TRAVELING COSTS???

[@hamjabadcraft2836]

Dude you should’ve just said “hungery killed there best cb because he tried escaping from hungery with his girlfriend which was Illegal”😩😩😩😩

[@hamjabadcraft2836]

Wrong emoji

[@ZEro-rn6vk]

do you even imagine how strong Hungary is in their history and now

[@curtisford3819]

Any chance of a video on how a potential would cup would work in England/UK, in terms of what stadiums would be used and all that. Could be an interesting idea to think about.

[@mcgoalpost3318]

I like when you make documentaries

[@lomax343]

12:52 - "Imre Nagy ... a moderate compared to his predessors ... dissolved the brutal AVH." True - but in 1956 the USSR invaded Hungary, and Nagy was hanged for "treason."

[@simonforrest2522]

Great content

[@marklindsay1581]

Hungary taking winning for granted cost them the word cup.dont take things for granted Mark.

[@balint4925]

Jeez thanks for this :) Im hungarian and tomorrow is my birthday so yeay ^^ (also, as far as i know, west-germans simply used politics in the half time to win the game in the world cup final. USSR couldn't allow a small country to win it, so they gifted it to west-germans, again, as far as i know)

[@LapesHD]

Great Video!

[@BluePlaysGames]

Honestly I prefer these types of videos to the “7 players who” videos

[@sharonolsen2108]

Love the videos Can you please make a video about Norwegian and American football Both internationally and leagues.

[@norneaernourn8240]

This story beats Twilight hands down, eyes closed.

[@stuartpenman6387]

and according to the mastermind of Hungary's brilliant team Gusztáv Sebes the total football style was inspired by Glasgow Rangers

[@salvadoracosta4510]

Alfie PH, the Football Historian 🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@___________________.]

Day 21: Final East German First League teams, where are they now?