Hungarians try to revive game one beer at a time

By Andras Gergely

MISKOLC, Hungary (Reuters) - Two Hungarian entrepreneurs have proposed a novel solution in Hungary's struggle to wake national soccer from two decades of slumber: slot machines.

Hungary, once unbeatable under Ferenc Puskas's "Golden Team", have not qualified for a major international tournament since the 1986 World Cup.

There was even a sigh of relief last month when they managed to beat Malta, 137th in the FIFA rankings, and take revenge for a humiliating defeat last year.

Lajos Marton and Gabor Csendes, two businessmen in the eastern Hajdu-Bihar county, thought rebuilding should start with young players, many of whom do not have adequate training grounds or kit, especially in poorer eastern Hungary.

They have started installing hundreds of soccer-themed slot machines in pubs around the country and donate part of the proceeds to youth teams.

"More and more teams have got in touch saying they want to take part in this," Marton said.

The machines, which can be played with 100-forint ($0.574) coins, feature photographs of players from the local team in each town, arranged in two concentric circles on the front of the machine.

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