WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO PLAY IN THE HUNGARIAN LEAGUE... 
Interview by Mentalita Magazine .


The Transylvanian Fanatics is an ultra group, following the OSK Sepsi in the Romanian league. The guys do not have it easy, because they belong to the Hungarian minority and that means "they are not welcome" on any stadium in the country... 

1. How did the history of TF begin? When was it estabilished? What was the purpose of forming the TF?
An organized group of fans, the Transylvanian Fanatics, first appeared on the stands in the summer of 2018. We wanted to create a hard-lined group of supporters, to introduce the ultra 'mentality on the terraces of Sepsiszentgyörgy. 


3. What is it like to support a Hungarian team in Romania? 
To support a Hungarian team in Romania means that everyone is against you. Fans of a minority team face a hostile atmosphere everywhere. You are not welcome on any stadium, you have no friends... 

4. Was there a fan group in the Sepsi stands even before TF? 
The Székely Legion has been present on the Sepsiszentgyörgy stands since the eighties, but this cannot be called a group, rather a collective name for all those who support Sepsi OSK and watch the matches from the "boiler". 

5. Who were your role models at the beginning? Who´s style do you like the most? 
As a Hungarian fan group abroad, I don't think we should set a different role model as the supporters of DAC Dunaszerdahely. I think there is something to learn from them. In addition, our other role model could be the Carpathian Brigade. They also have an incentive effect on us. As for style, preferences within the group vary, depending on who is sympathizing with which mainland or foreign team. After all, there are those among us who prefer the classic ultra line, but there are also those who sympathize with the Eastern European style. 

6. If Sepsi could play in the Hungarian league, would you be happy about it? 
Of course, we would be happy to be able to play in the Hungarian league, but not by grabbing the team and transferring it to Debrecen, for example. If this meant restoring the borders, of course it would be great! 

7. Are there groups in Hungary with whom you maintain a friendly relationship? 
There are mainly personal contacts. As TF, we try to approach openly all of the Hungarian groups in the mainland and abroad. We primarily think of all Hungarian fans as compatriots. They can be from Újpest, Fradi, Kispest, Fehérvár, etc. . At group level, we do not want to take a stand and support anyone. We are in a special position as Hungarians living abroad because we are welcome with respect everywhere, we try to appreciate that. Of course we went / will go to the matches of some Hungarian team, but we will never take our banners. 


8. How is your relationship with the Hungarian National Team? 
We started primarily as supporters of the national team. We got to know each other at Hungary matches in Bucharest and Budapest. The Transylvanian Fanatics emerged from these aquaintances. As football in Szentgyörgy developed, and since most of our members are from Szentgyörgy, the idea to support OSK came up naturally. The greatest joy for us is to get to see Hungary play at home in Budapest or to follow the boys somewhere else is also not a problem. The atmosphere of the Hungary matches gives us so much energy, it can last for months. 


9. What is the biggest challenge for you in Romania? How many people can travel from Sepsi to away matches? 
The OSK Sepsiszentgyörgy is followed everywhere by its fans. Since the formation of the team there may not have been any away fixture, where at least one Szekler has not been present. There were 200-250 people going to Bucharest. 

10. Who is the biggest opponent in the league? 
Every “top team” is our rival, but the matches against CFR from Cluj-Napoca are the most spicy, we are really looking forward to the first time we can finally beat the reigning champions. So far we have achived only two draws against them. The matches we play against Dinamo Bucuresti never go uneventful. 


11. The Romanian league itself has lost a lot of its attractiveness, as the largest groups play in a lower class — except for the Dinamo. What do you think about the standard?
In addition to Dinamo, there are other large supporter groups in the first class, just think of Craiova where the average number of spectators is around 13-15 thousand per match, and behind the goal at least 2,000 people support the team. The FCSB also has some support, especially now that after many years the infamous Peluza Nord group has returned to the stadium (since their capo has been released from prison), so a pretty tough brigade has re-emerged there as well. In the second class there are really big groups: Ploiesti, Rapid, U etc, but these teams almost got promoted last year too, it is only a matter of time and they will be back in the first class again. It also means that it will be harder for us as well because we will not play in front of empty stands on away fixtures, but I think it can also contribute to our development. 

12. Since the stadiums are closed, how do you spend your weekends, how can you keep the group together during these difficult times? 
This situation is amazingly bad, it is unbelieveble that we were last at the stadium in February 2020. We tried to cheer in front of the gate for a while, from where we could see at least a small part of the pitch, but due to the virus rules it didn't work for long, the police threatened us with penalties in every match if we went there, and in the end their van was parked exactly on the spot where we used to watch the match, so we had to give up this advanture. We try to watch all the games together with the members who live in Sepsiszentgyörgy. Since some group members live far away and get rarely to Szentgyörgy, we have always planned 2-3 weekends every year to gather. Fortunately, we can carry on with this tradition. 

13. How did you experience the Hungarian national team qualifying to the EC? How is this seen in Romania?
Naturally we were very happy. We are really looking forward to the EC, we will be definitely there (if they let us trave through the border). The boys made very happy all Hungarians in Transylvania. The Romanians are probably envious, but no one cares. 

14. Wishes for 2021? 
Our biggest wish is to put an end to this damn virus situation so that we can finally cheer from the stands again!