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Hungary is a microcosm of Euro 2016 as a whole

They've done just enough to stay in the hunt, just like almost everyone else.

By Evan J. Davis
Iceland v Hungary - Group F: UEFA Euro 2016 Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

You can count on the fingers of one hand the number of games in this year’s Euros that have been decided by more than one goal. You can count on the fingers of one hand the number of games that haven’t been decided in the final 5-10 minutes of play. You can count on the fingers of one hand the number of teams who have put on impressively complete performances for 90 minutes. Needless to say, Hungary’s two games so far do not fit a couple of those categories.

The first half against Iceland today -- which ultimately resulted in a late 1-1 draw -- was notable mostly for ESPN commentator Kate Markgraf audibly blushing at the thought of Iceland midfielder Birkir Bjarnason as the "heartthrob of the tournament."

Indeed, Hungary held 72 percent of possession but lacked any kind of creativity in attack. Iceland’s defensive organization held firm, and Gylfi Sigurðsson’s penalty looked like it might have been enough. Their expected goals map only confirms that suspicion.

Then, Iceland started to tire, Ádám "18-month goal drought" Szalai got subbed on, and Dániel Böde forced an own goal in the 87th minute. Hungary earned a draw. Four points from two games. Yay?

This is becoming the rule in this tournament, rather than the exception. Hal Robson-Kanu's goofy late winner for Wales against Slovakia; Daniel Sturridge's poached goal for England against Wales; Niall McGinn's at-the-death insurance goal for Northern Ireland against Ukraine; Gerard Piqué's header for Spain against the Czech Republic; Éder's strike against an awful Sweden side. These only scratch the surface of demonstrating the tournament's primary theme: salvaged points from "meh" performances.

The smaller sides are staying just stout enough defensively, and the big teams are frustratingly bereft of potency. Equilibrium is then either achieved (Spain, France) or the minnows pull out a result (Hungary, Northern Ireland). Hungary’s victory over Austria and their draw to Iceland personify this tendency. Bernd Storck’s side did just enough to wear down the opposition and get results.

Because of the expanded format, it’s a sound strategy to get into the knockout stage. It doesn’t make for very fun soccer, however. The below image of 40-year-old Hungary keeper Gábor Király serves to symbolize Hungary as a synecdoche for the entire European Championship: Tantalizing allure marred by frustrating reality.

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