After three years the most coveted trophy of the European Women's club handball returns to hands of the Hungarian Dream team Györi AUDI ETO KC. The 2013 and 2014 winners beat HC Vardar Skopje 31:30 after extra-time in a thrilling final game of the TIPPMIX EHF FINAL4 and clinched their third EHF Champions League title in five years.
In front of the sold-out crowd of 12.000 spectators in the Papp Laszlo Budapest Sportarena In Hungary, the team with the best defence of the competition prevailed over the best attacking side in the final 4.
TIPPMIX EHF FINAL4, FINAL:Győri Audi ETO KC (HUN) vs HC Vardar (MKD) 31:30 after extra-time (26:26, 15:12)
GYÖR AUDI ETO KC CLINCH THIRD TROPHY IN FIVE
YEARS
Two-time Champions League winners the giants Győri Audi KC took on Macedonian powerhouse HC Vardar Skopje, who were after their first triumph in the ultimate game of the Women’s EHF Champions League season.
The EHF Champions League 2017 final was expected to be a battle between Vardar’s attackers and Györ’s defence but the first minutes
The Hungarian legendary player Anita Görbicz was on fire scoring three of her team’s first six goals from the wing and Nycke Groot also started well, but Inna Suslina made some nice saves to keep the home side on a short leash. But it was top scorer Andrea Penezic, who equalized (9-9) in the 15th minute with a thunderbolt from 10 meters.Kari Aalvik Grimsbö made two important saves in a row Györi Audi ETO seemed to gather momentum as the margin grew to three goals (13-10) in the 20th minute.
The home side’s wall kept Grimsbö’s goal untouchable for 13 minutes
The second part of the game was much tighter, the second half was characterized by much tensione and xcitement on the arena field. a draw - 26-26 - was born at the end of normal playing time, followed by an extra-time.
Finally, the Györi Audi ETO KC was more successful in the battle of nerves, and won the third Women's EHF European Champions League trophy.
After the finals, Ambition Martín, Nycke Groot and Anita Görbicz evaluated the Game.
"I'm very happy," Ambros Martín Györi Audi ETO KC head coach said. - Players and fans have also deserved it. It was exciting. I wanted to ask for time, but I could not do it anymore. But I knew the girls could solve this task. In the second half we wanted to close the final, so Vardar could not come back. However, players have shown that they can open a new chapter. We're all waiting for a big party! "
"I believed in the last three seconds to win the finals, I'm proud of the team! Two of these battles were
a major physical burden within two days. We have also mobilized our last energies". Nycke Groot said.
"I believed in the last three seconds to win the finals," said Nycke Groot. - I'm proud of the team! Two of these battles were a major physical burden
within two days. We have also mobilized our last energies. "
"I always do my best to play. During the season, I was struggling to make Ambros not to ignore me, so now I wanted to show him and everyone else. Thank you very much for my family, they gave mi a lot of strength Anita Görbicz said after game".
Title holders claim bronze of the 2017 Women's EHF Champions League Handball Final 4.
Defending champions CSM Bucuresti finished third in the TIPPMIX EHF FINAL4 after the Romanian side controlled the third-place match against Montenegro's Buducnost from start to finish
TIPPMIX EHF FINAL4, third-place match:
Buducnost (MNE) vs CSM Bucuresti (ROU) 20:26 (12:13)
Well done Girls ( Szép volt csajok!)
Congratulations! to Györi Audi ETO KC you were really the best team on the 2017 season, and you deserved the victory with abundance without doubt.