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Rediff.com  » Sports » Germany humbled by Hungary

Germany humbled by Hungary

June 07, 2004 13:17 IST
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Germany stumbled to an embarrassing 2-0 home defeat by Hungary in their final warm-up match for Euro 2004.

Two first-half goals from striker Sandor Torghelle gave the visitors a surprise victory on Sunday over a lacklustre German side, who failed to take inspiration from West Germany's 3-2 triumph over the same opponents in the 1954 World Cup final.

Germany, who had already worried their fans with a traumatic 5-1 defeat by Romania in April, will face the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Latvia in a tough Group D in the finals in Portugal, which start on June 12.

Hungary, who failed to qualify for Euro 2004 and were missing several players through injuries, made a furious start.

A shaky German defence had already struggled a few times when Torghelle, poorly marked by Christian Woerns, raced into the box to surprise Oliver Kahn with an angled shot from 11 metres on seven minutes.

Germany, who looked clumsy and short of ideas throughout the first half, were pressing hard in search for an equaliser when a swift counter-attack caught their defence off guard again. It ended with Sorghelle landing the ball on his chest before beating Kahn from close range in the 31st minute.

The three-times world and European champions stepped up a gear after the interval but were denied by a string a great saves from Hungary goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly.

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Source: REUTERS
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