IFAF Men’s EC: Team Hungary earns upset win over Serbia

Hungary enjoyed an unusual win over Serbia in the 2024/25 IFAF Men’s European Championship group stage, rebounding from a seemingly impossible situation to triumph 25-19 in overtime.

Team Hungary quarterback Máté Hegedűs lofted a pass that found László Benedek alone in the corner of the end zone for 23-yard touchdown and a 19-17 lead late in the game. The extra point – which would have opened a three-point advantage – was blocked and returned for two points, tying the game at 19-19.

Serbia was still celebrating an improbable tie when Hegedűs hit Márton Mészáros with a 26-yard pass for the overtime win.

Serbia had opened up a 14-point first half advantage through two Boris Kujundžić touchdowns, including one on an 82-yard scamper, before Hungary’s David Novakov scored on an untouched run up the middle and Márton Németh aged on the PAT.

Novakov scored on an eight-yard touchdown run, but Hungary still trailed 14-13 after the point after try was blocked. Željko Stegnjaja edged Serbia further ahead with a 39-yard field goal before the late-game excitement propelled Hungary to victory.