During the 1990’s, foreign players began to ply their trade in helping strengthen Israeli football. Many of them came from Eastern European countries as Hungary became a very poplar place for scouts in the mid to late-90’s. Over the course of the years, three Hungarian players wore the Yellow & Blue and just ahead of the return leg against Ferencvaros is the perfect time to take a look back at the trio.

Ferenc Horvath
The lanky Hungarian arrived at Maccabi near the end of 2000 from Energie Cottbus of the German Bundesliga. The Hungarian International took part in back-to-back State Cup victories in 2000/01 and 2001/02 and scored 12 goals in 64 appearances. Horvath is also familiar with Maccabi’s Europa League foe, Ferencvaros after playing for the Budapest based side for two seasons between 1996-1998. Today, the former Yellow & Blue is the coach of Balmazújvárosi FC in Hungary. Let’s look back to when Horvath scored a brace in a 6:0 win over Tzafririm Holon during the 2000/01 campaign:

Alek Nilash
Just like Horvath, Nilash also played for Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ferencvaros. The attacking midfielder was the first Hungarian to play for Maccabi and arrived in Israel during the 1997/98 campaign. Nilash played one season for the Yellow & Blue and made 26 appearances while scoring 4 goals before continuing his career with SC Ashdod for the following four years. Check out his marker in a 4:1 victory over Hapoel Beit Shean:

Adam Vezer
The third Hungarian who played for Maccabi was keeper Adam Vezer who came to the club ahead of the 2000/01 campaign. After making 150 appearances with Honved Budapest, the shot stopper played 14 matches for the Yellow & Blue in his only season with the team. Vezer then went on to play two years with Beitar Beer Sheva before continuing his career, primarily in Cyprus.

Adam Vezer is in the center ()