On Saturday, 15 July, 1. FC Union will travel to play the current Hungarian cup-holders, Zalaegerszegi TE FC (known as ZTE) in their second pre-season friendly of 2023/24. Kick off in the ZTE Arena is at 16:30.

The lie of the land

Following on from the brief training camp in Bad Saarow, and Wednesday’s 2-0 win over against FSV Luckenwalde 63, Urs Fischer’s side are expected to be welcomed to Zalaegerszeg by hundreds of travelling Unioner.

The opponents

The west Hungarian ZTE celebrated their centenary three years ago, but throughout their long history they didn't even reach Hungary's top division until 1972. Many years followed in the Nemzeti Bajnokság, the Hungarian first division, before relegation to the second division at the end of the 1980s. Eventually they climbed back to the top flight, but were relegated again following the 2011/12 season. The second relegation in particular was a bitter step backwards in the club's development, coming only a decade after they won their first and only league title.

The club's current stay in the first division has now lasted five years, with further silverware finally added in 2022/23, when they beat second-division Budafoki MTE in the final of the Magyar Kupa (the cup).

Union midfielder Aïssa Laïdouni knows his opponents well from his time playing in Budapest at Ferencváros; the Tunisian international played six games against ZTE, winning five of them. He scored in a 2-0 win against the side currently coached by Gábor Boér back in December 2020.

Service info

The away sector in the ZTE Arena is located in blocks I-IV of the East Stand, and there will be tickets available on site. The usual control measures will take place at the entrance to the stadium.

How to get there:
Address for the navigation system: HU-8900 Zalaegerszeg, Október 6. tér 16.

Arrival by car:

Coming from Budapest on the M7 motorway, take the Hollád/Keszthely/Zalaegerszeg exit, then take motorway 76 towards Balatonszentgyörgy/Zalacsány/Nagykapornak/Zalaegerszeg and turn right at the first traffic lights after the flyover at the beginning of the town. The car parking for away fans is next to the east stand of the stadium.

Arrival by public transport:

From Zalaegerszeg railway station take bus no. 1 or 10 in the direction of the stadium. The bus stop is about 600 metres from the stadium.

For all Union fans not travelling to Hungary, AFTV will broadcast a live stream and, as usual, Union will provide updates on the club's own live ticker.