Hungary vs Norway - Hungary boss says Norway remain favourites to qualify

Posted Saturday, November 14, 2015 by PA

Hungary coach Bernd Storck said Norway remain favourites to qualify for Euro 2016 in Budapest on Sunday despite his side's shock win in Oslo three days ago.

Norway must overturn a 1-0 deficit after Laszlo Kleinheisler scored the only goal at the Ullevaal Stadium, but only one team have gone on to qualify for the European Championship finals via the play-offs after losing the first leg.

Holland thrashed Scotland 6-0 in the return leg after losing in Glasgow in 2003 and if Norway are to reach their first major finals since Euro 2000, they must hope for better luck after hitting the crossbar on Thursday and finding Hungary goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly in fine form.

Hungary are bidding to reach their first major tournament in 30 years and Storck has warned the job is only half done.

"Norway are still the favourites," said the German, who will be without the suspended former West Brom playmaker Zoltan Gera. "Norway have very good players. We need to play like we did (on Thursday) or we will have problems.

"We are in a good position. We did a good job for Hungarian football. But it must be remembered that a very long 90 minutes is waiting for us on Sunday.

"The recent victory was a great success, but in the home game we need to focus.

"The key to success was the team's attitude, they are good performers. Zoltan Gera for example played well. I'm sad that we cannot count on it in the return."

Norway won in Bulgaria, Azerbaijan and Malta in Group H and both coach Per-Mathias Hogmo and his players remain confident of turning it round in Budapest.

"We have scored in all away games in the qualifying round and can definitely win in Hungary," Hogmo said.

"High speed, ball security and breakthrough - power words in the away match. We are halfway and really looking forward to the next 90 minutes.

"I told the players: Let this match motivate you for what you are in for (in the return leg)."

AZ Alkmaar midfielder Markus Henriksen added: "We will turn this in Hungary.

"We see that there are great opportunities here and we are going to dare to play football on Sunday.

"We are really looking forward to the game. It is by no means run."