Győr lose with dead batteries

Győri Audi ETO KC could have made it to the final of the Champions League on home court, but the Russian Zvezda Zvenigorod did not surrender after a home defeat and clinched the final with convincing performance.

According to the news broken just before the game, Evgeni Trefilov could not travel with the team to Hungary because of health problems. His assistant, Vitaly Krohin led Zvezda to victory.

The hosts took a two-goal lead back home from Checkov, but it did not last too long. The first two goals of the game were scored by the Russians and they were already closer to the final in the 6th minute at 1-4. The guests relied mainly on Shipilova and the wing players who were quite free in attack.

Görbicz was also nominated for the game despite her injury and she had to come on in the 9th minute of the game. Pálinger also came in to replace Herr in the goal. This change was successful and Győr came closer quickly.

Mravíková scored two goals and the difference was only one goal at 5-6 and than Vérten equalised from a fast break. The Hungarians dominated in this period and it seemed that they would prevail. Zvezda’s reaction was too tough in defence and they were awarded many suspensions by the refs.

However, Győr wasted a double man advantage and Zvenigorod took the lad back. They went to halftime break with a 11-15 lead.

Though Győr should have improved for the second half, Poltoratskaya and Shipilova made it 12-17 just after the break. In fact, they could have decided the game if only Pálinger would not have been in the goal.

It was 14-20 when Csaba Konkoly called a Time Out and the goals of Vérten and Mravíková gave back the hope for Győr. Nevertheless, it was 17-23 for the hosts just 10 minutes before the end, which was less promising for Győr that made too many technical mistakes.

Görbicz stayed on court for the endgame. When it was 21-25 with just two minutes to go, the hosts were forced not to get any more goals, but that was impossible. Zvenigorod won by 21-27, 46-50 in aggregate, and qualified for the final to face Hypo Nö.