The Serbian national team squares off against Team Hungary in a key IFAF Europe qualifier in Belgrade, Serbia at TC Vozdovac Stadion, perched atop the roof of the Stadium shopping mall this Saturday. The winner moves on to play in the Group B tournament in 2016 while the loser is eliminated.
Serbia enters the game after playing one friendly game, defeating Italy 34-41 a few weeks ago. Team Hungary is also in the same situation having lost to the Czech Republic 26-7 a week ago.
Strahinja Stepović on the run against Italy
Serbia’s head coach Doug Adkins was happy with his starting quarterback David Hanomihl Lukić versus Italy and will likely start him in this contest. Although receiver Strahinja Stepović stepped in in the second half in the wildcat formation and was very effective, Adkins will stick with his normal offense for much of the game, but the wildcat will also likely be used. Running back Mihailo Josović also had a solid game against Italy and will prove to be a problem for the Hungarians.
On defense, linebackers Jovica Jović and Predrag Šćekić lead a fast-improving squad. Adkins has also added cornerback Ljubodrag Anđelković and defensive linemen Nebojša Mirković and Miloš Lišanin. This is a fast, aggressive defense and will give Hungary problems.
Although Hungary lost to the Czechs, head coach Lee Hlavka realizes that his team is in a development stage. Nevertheless the loss gave him some much needed information about his squad. Márk Bencsics will start again at quarterback but Márton Czirók who played in the Finnish second division and who scored Hungary’s lone touchdown, will back him up.
Team Hungary in action against the Czech Republic MTI Fotó: Illyés Tibor
The running back position will see a rotation with Peter Cseperkalo starting but David Danku and Peter Lenner will also get reps. Hungary’s offensive line will be hard pressed against a very fast and aggressive Serbian front seven but veteran offensive guard Daniel Menczel gives it stability. Ádám Elek will start at wide receiver. Elek scored four touchdowns in the Hungarian final in a losing cause for the Budapest Wolves.
Defensively coach Hlavka will rely on defensive end Szücs Tibor and linebacker Becs Péter in his front seven while cornerback Ádám Demeter leads the secondary which includes always dangerous safety Márton Németh, who was voted the best player in Hungary in 2014.
