Release from 24.09.2025

Successful Start in the ICE: FTC General Manager Fodor Szabolcs relieved

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FTC-Telekom is the newest member of the win2day ICE Hockey League. On Sunday, the team from Budapest celebrated its first victory in front of the home crowd, defeating Innsbruck 6–2. With a total of four points, the Hungarians currently sit in ninth place in the standings. FTC General Manager Fodor Szabolcs is particularly pleased with the strong start to the season, describing Sunday’s win as a “great relief.”

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On September 12 you started your adventure in the ICE Hockey League. How satisfied are you with your team’s performances so far?
Fodor Szabolcs: “We started the season knowing it would be a learning year. Still, we want to win every game, because this club is all about competing to win. That’s why we’re very happy we managed to get our first victory already in the fourth match. Against Villach, the opening minutes didn’t go the way we wanted – maybe we were a bit overwhelmed – but then we caught up and, according to the stats, we even had a chance to win. In Vienna we picked up a point and were close to another victory. Against Klagenfurt we were in the lead, but a few mistakes cost us against a very strong team. Then in the fourth game we finally got that first win, and I think we fully deserved it, even though this is a learning season with no major expectations on the team.”

How big was the relief on Sunday when you earned the first win against Innsbruck?
Fodor Szabolcs: “It’s a big relief to get that first win so early in our debut season. It took a lot of pressure off our shoulders. Everyone had the Fehérvár example in mind – they had to wait 17 games in their first year for a win – and we didn’t want to go that long. The way we’re playing is encouraging, and it feels great that we got the victory so soon. Of course, we also know this is an extremely strong league, and to get any points we need to give 100 percent in every single match. The timing of the win is perfect, because we’re entering a very tough stretch of the season. We’ll be playing several games on the road against strong opponents, with a lot of traveling. That’s never easy. But thanks to this win, the team no longer has to carry the pressure of ‘when will the first victory come’. That alone gives the guys extra confidence heading into these tough trips.”

What are your goals for this season, and what long-term objectives are you pursuing in the league?
Fodor Szabolcs: “From day one we made it clear: there is no pressure to deliver results and no specific targets. The only thing we ask is that the players give their maximum in every game and step on the ice determined to win. That’s the identity of this club. For the fans, seeing that effort and commitment is more than enough in our first season. So far, they can see how hard the team works, and that makes us proud as well. Going forward, we’ll keep asking the players to approach every game as if it were the last of their careers.”

How excited is Budapest to now be part of the ICE, and how much anticipation is there already for the matchups against Fehérvár?
Fodor Szabolcs: “It’s also clear that interest around the team is growing, especially when it comes to the Hungarian derbies. The fans are already fired up for those matches, and we know they will be played in a special atmosphere.”

This weekend an Italy doubleheader awaits. What do you think will be possible against Bolzano and Pustertal?
Fodor Szabolcs: “In the end, our only demand is simple: fight until the very end and never give up. So far, the team has shown that—even away from home, against stronger teams on paper—we can play with full commitment and deliver an effective performance. That’s exactly our goal again this weekend.”

TC-Telekom will first face HCB Südtirol Alperia on the road on Friday (7:45 p.m.), followed by an away game against HC Pustertal Wölfe (7:45 p.m.). Both matches will be streamed live on Sporteurope.tv.