The Budapest Hurricanes were an American football team based in Budapest, Hungary. The team competed in the Hungarian Football League and the IFAF CEI Cup. The Hurricanes were founded in 2009 and have become a dominant team of Hungary since. Although the team played only three friendly games in 2010, since 2011 they were a full member of the domestic American football competitions. After the Hurricanes were the champions of the HFL and the youth cup as well in 2013, the team had been dissolved in 2014.
Seasons
2010
Based on the decision of the Hungarian American Football Federation (MAFSZ) the team could not take part in any competition. Consequently, the Hurricanes played three friendly games with foreign teams.
Date
Opponent
Score
Venue
Stats
2 October 2010
Team Slovenia
L 19–26
Építõk Sporthostel, Budapest, Hungary
17 October 2010
@ Vienna Knights
L 30–14
Freizetpark Schmelz, Wien, Austria
6 November 2010
@ Zagreb Patriots
W 11–21
Zagreb, Croatia
2011
As a newcomer, the Hurricanes had to compete in the lowest division (Division II) of the Hungarian championships. The team won the Division II undefeated and beat the Újpest Bulldogs 56–14 in the finale. The team simultaneously competed in the Austrian league as well, where they finished the regular season with a 3–1 record. Excluding youth competitions, the Hurricanes became the first Hungarian American football team to win an international championship by defeating the Alpine Hammers 31–13 in the finale.
Competition
Date
Opponent
Score
Venue
Stats
MAFL DIV II.
12 March 2011
@ Fehérvár Enthroners
W 0–43
Fehérvár, Hungary
MAFL DIV II.
26 March 2011
@ Debrecen Gladiators
W 6–49
Debrecen, Hungary
MAFL DIV II.
9 April 2011
Újpest Bulldogs
W 61–0
Építõk Sporthostel, Budapest, Hungary
AFBÖ DIV II.
16 April 2011
Zagreb Patriots
W 42–21
Építõk Sporthostel, Budapest, Hungary
AFBÖ DIV II.
30 April 2011
@ Danube Dragons 2
W 7–37
Rattenfängerstadion, Wien, Austria
MAFL DIV II.
7 May 2011
@ Budapest Eagles
W 7–42
Építõk Sporthostel, Budapest, Hungary
MAFL DIV II.
22 May 2011
Tata Mustangs
W 57–12
Építõk Sporthostel, Budapest, Hungary
AFBÖ DIV II.
28 May 2011
Danube Dragons 2
W 55–19
Építõk Sporthostel, Budapest, Hungary
AFBÖ DIV II.
4 June 2011
@ Zagreb Patriots
L 26–20
Zagreb, Croatia
AFBÖ DIV II.
18 June 2011
@ Carinthian Black Lions 2
W 34–36
Stadion Villach Lind, Villach, Austria
AFBÖ DIV II.
3 July 2011
@ Alpin Hammers
W 13–31
Regionales Sportzenrum, Schwaz, Austria
MAFL DIV II.
10 July 2011
Budapest Cowboys 2
W 40–0
Építõk Sporthostel, Budapest, Hungary
MAFL DIV II.
17 July 2011
Újpest Bulldogs
W 56–14
Dunaújváros, Hungary
2012
As the team was invited to the first season of the Hungarian Football League, it did not participate in the Division I championship. The Hurricanes achieved another historic feature in the regular season by defeating the Budapest Wolves who conceded their first defeat against a Hungarian team since being founded nearly ten years earlier. The Hurricanes, led by head coach Zsolt Kovács, won the regular season encounter 33–27. The team finished the regular season undefeated; however, lost 65–21 in a lopsided game against the Budapest Wolves, who, as a result, won the championship. The Hurricanes could not defend their title in Austria as they lost to the Cineplexx Blue Devils in the regular season and in the finale as well. Both games were decided by less than 9 points. Consequently, the team finished as the runners-up in both competitions in 2012.
Competition
Date
Opponent
Score
Venue
Stats
AFBÖ DIV II.
1 April 2012
@ Cineplexx Blue Devils
L 12–7
Herrenriedstadion, Hohenems, Austria
AFBÖ DIV II.
8 April 2012
Styrian Bears
W 62–0
Építõk Sporthostel, Budapest, Hungary
AFBÖ DIV II.
21 April 2012
Red Lions Hall
W 42–0
Építõk Sporthostel, Budapest, Hungary
AFBÖ DIV II.
12 May 2012
@ Generali Invaders
W 6–23
Sankt Pölten, Austria
AFBÖ DIV II.
20 May 2012
Amstetten Thunder
W 79–30
Építõk Sporthostel, Budapest, Hungary
AFBÖ DIV II.
27 May 2012
@ Alpin Hammers
W 6–28
Regionales Sportzenrum, Schwaz, Austria
AFBÖ DIV II.
17 June 2012
@ Amstetten Thunder
W 38–73
Umdasch Stadion, Amstetten, Austria
AFBÖ DIV II.
24 July 2012
@ Cineplexx Blue Devils
L 14–6
Herrenriedstadion, Hohenems, Austria
MAFL HFL
8 September 2012
@ Gyõr Sharks
W 41–7
Elektromos Sporttelep, Gyõr, Hungary
MAFL HFL
29 September 2012
Budapest Wolves
W 33–27
Építõk Sporthostel, Budapest, Hungary
MAFL HFL
6 October 2012
@ Újbuda Rebels
W 14–30
Építõk Sporthostel, Budapest, Hungary
MAFL HFL
20 October 2012
Budapest Wolves
L 21–65
Sport utcai Stadion, Budapest, Hungary
2013
In spring the team competed in the first IFAF CEI Cup. The team did not reach the finale of the competition as they finished with a 2–3 record, which earned them the third place among the four teams. The Hurricanes lost the three games with a combined margin of 10 points. Similarly to 2012, the Hurricanes finished the regular season of the HFL undefeated, which earned them a berth in the 2013 HFL finale. They played in the finale against the Budapest Wolves again. The team rallied and overcame a 10-point difference to win 28–24 and become Hungarian champions.
