The long-rumored downfall of OSC is now a reality.
Despite a strong 5th-place finish in the 2024–25 OB I regular season, the Budapest-based club is heading for a complete breakup, with players set to scatter and the team itself likely to disappear in its current form.
Problems came to light after an investigation by Hungary’s State Audit Office (SAO), which revealed major financial misconduct within the club. According to reports, OSC submitted falsified bank documents to justify public funding meant for youth sports programs. Auditors also found evidence suggesting theft of club funds and misuse of subsidies, prompting the SAO to escalate the matter to authorities on suspicions of budget fraud and embezzlement.
A deeper audit uncovered even more alarming details: where there should have been 207 million forints (€510,950) in the club’s cash reserves, only 29 million (€71,259.00) were found. Investigators concluded that key figures at the club — Mária Konrád and Péter Becsey — had treated OSC’s assets as their own personal finances.
For Becsey, this is not his first financial scandal. He was previously accused of mismanaging funds at the 2nd District Sport Kft., where he allegedly used public money for luxury expenses. That case led to a 200 million forint lawsuit by the municipality.
In response to growing concerns, Hungarian Water Polo Federation president Norbert Madaras confirmed that the federation cut off further TAO support to OSC earlier this year. As rumors swirled about mismanagement, the MVLSZ moved to protect public funds and began planning for the future of the club’s youth program.
There is hope that the club’s grassroots and amateur sections — involving around 250 players — will survive. Talks are well underway for Semmelweis University to take over these operations, with an official announcement expected soon.
As for the professional side, the situation is bleak. Many players have been competing while owed significant back pay, holding the team together for much of the season despite mounting uncertainty. However, the toll eventually showed as OSC narrowly missed out on a top-four playoff finish.
Speaking to VLV (Vizilabda Válogatott), head coach Róbert Kovács described the deteriorating atmosphere:
“The team’s form dropped off noticeably in early March. Doubts about the future were growing, and although the players showed great professionalism, the hopelessness of the situation weighed heavily on everyone,” Kovács said. “Training became harder, motivation dropped, and the whole environment was tense and frustrating.”
Kovács confirmed that all players have now sorted their futures — many signing with foreign clubs or moving within Hungary, with some players even stepping away from the sport entirely. He also revealed that he himself has secured a position elsewhere, although he chose not to reveal where just yet.
“There was a real family feeling here, a great chemistry between the staff and the players. That’s what makes this ending particularly painful,” he reflected.
Although water polo at OSC will likely continue under a new name and new management, the end of OSC’s run as a major force in Hungarian water polo is now inevitable.
A Brief History of OSC
Founded in 1957 within Semmelweis University, Orvosegyetem Sport Club (OSC) quickly rose to prominence in Hungarian water polo. The club’s golden era spanned from 1969 to 1974, during which OSC clinched six consecutive national championships. Their dominance extended to the European stage, capturing the European Cup in 1973 by defeating four-time champions Partizan Belgrade. OSC reached the European Cup finals again in 1974 and 1975, and in 1976, they were runners-up in the Cup Winners’ Cup. The pinnacle of their success came in 1979 with a second European Cup victory and a LEN Super Cup win.
Despite a decline in subsequent years, OSC remained a formidable force in Hungarian water polo. The club underwent several name changes, reflecting various sponsorships and partnerships, and continued to compete at the highest levels domestically and in European competitions. In recent years, OSC has been known as Genesys OSC-Újbuda, maintaining a strong presence in the Hungarian league and nurturing a robust youth program.
Now, facing financial turmoil and organizational challenges, OSC stands at a crossroads. Efforts are underway to preserve the club’s legacy, with Semmelweis University poised to take over its operations, aiming to continue the development of young talent and uphold the storied tradition of OSC in Hungarian water polo.
Quotes in this article were taken from an interview published by VLV (Vizilabda Válogatott).
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