Buducnost win the EHF Women's Champions League 2011/12

Buducnost (MNE) vs. Györi Audi ETO KC (HUN) -  27:25 (13:12) Aggregate (54:54)
EHF Women's Champions League Final, Second Leg
S.C. Moraca Hall, Podgorica, Montenegro

Buducnost have won the EHF Women's Champions League 2011/12 by account of scoring the greater number of away goals (27 in Hungary) than Györi AUDI ETO KC (25 in Montenegro).

A thrilling atmosphere in a sold out Moraca Sports Centre awaited the two teams, with no surprises in the starting line-up of the hosts, but with Anikó Kovacsics on the left-wing position for Györ.

The young prospect replaced injured Orsolya Vérten who suffered a thigh injury in Wednesday's (9 May) domestic league clash against Ferencváros.

Anita Görbicz again led the Hungarian attacks and on Buducnost`s side it was right-back Katarina Bulatovic who scored the first two goals for her side. The left-handed sharpshooter underperformed last week, but in today's return match she showed a strong performance.

As earlier expected it was Kovacsics who has received more roles in both attack and defence, as she defended against Buducnost`s most potent weapon Bojana Popovic.

A two minute suspension for Eduarda Amorim caused a little surprise among the Hungarians, as Buducnost turned the tables with a Maja Savic goal in minute nine.

The game continued on eye level with both sides scoring, but with Bojana Popovic's first goal in minute 11, followed by a Radmilla Miljanic counter attack strike, the Montenegrins led by two goals for the first time in the match.

Györi Audi ETO coach Karl Erik Böhn quickly reacted and brought in Katalin Pálinger as goalkeeper, with the Hungarian playing the final European Cup game of her career before she retires from handball.

Despite the hosts leading, the Hungarians remained calm and used their chances, cooly leveling the match again after 17 minutes.

Pushed-on by thousands of vociferous supporters, Buducnost's Katarina Bulatovic seemed to be 'on fire' scoring from distance and from the seven-metre line, so the hosts marched ahead by three goals.

With two two-minute penalties for Buducnost, the Hungarians had several chances to reduce the gap, but they were unable to score during that period with the hosts producing a fantastic job on the defensive line.

Not only Györ, but also Bojana Popovic and Co. were unable to score, and both teams performed very nervously and goalkeepers saved with great efficiency. Therefore, the game remained for several minutes at a two-goal lead for the hosts, at 13:11.

Both sides produced a rock-solid defence, at the end it was the Hungarian champions who broke the goalless silence, closing the gap to 13:12 at half-time.

The high-level match continued with top quality handball, both teams giving their utmost and both fan groups pushing their team to the maximum.

The hosts increased their lead to two goals again, but Györi Audi ETO kept scoring, and not allowing the Buducnost players a higher margin.

The Montenegrins produced a massive defence, marking Györ`s top line player Heidi Löke, and so Eduarda Amorim and Anita Görbicz had to take more responsibility.

With Görbicz`s goal the Hungarians leveled at 16:16 in minute 36, but Buducnost reacted quickly and always had a well-working reply with the fantastic Katarina Bulatovic scoring again and again and an energetic Clara Woltering in the goal of the hosts.

Györi Audi ETO`s Katalin Pálinger kept saving with heroics between the sticks, and keeping her side in game.

The excitement rose from minute to minute, and the game remained on eye level with both teams playing on their limit and craving the EHF Women`s Champions League title.

With a two-goal lead the Moraca Sports Centre seemed to explode, and a great tactical battle was presented on both sides.

With Bojana Popovic's seven-metre penalty the Montengrins were again ahead by three goals after 47 minutes, meaning they were one step closer to victory, but the decisive moments brought further tension and excitement in this amazing thriller.

Minute 50 marked the first four-goal lead of the hosts through Katarina Bulatovic's seventh strike.

Despite the gap between the two teams, Györi Audi ETO's coach Karl Erik Böhn remained calm on the sideline and didn`t go for the time-out.

With Clara Woltering being on top form in goal Buducnost kept a three-goal advantage, but Audi ETO didn´t give up and fought strongly in a bid to bring home the trophy.

With five minutes remaining the scoreboard showed a 25:23 home lead, and through the strong game of the Győr backline, the Hungarians scored again, making it 25:24 with an agile and mentally strong Görbicz. 

Buducnost selected top gear, and with young Radmila Miljanic scoring from the wing, followed by a counter-attack goal of former Audi ETO player Ana Dokic, it was a 27:24 for the Montenegrins.

One minute was yet to be played, and Hungarian trainer Böhn called for a time-out. In the attack after the intermission, Anita Görbicz scored from the seven-metre line to make it 27:25 for the hosts.

In the last 50 seconds Buducnost had the ball, and the Montenegrins were able to run their attack to the final whistle, keeping the two-goal lead, which meant that, thanks to the away goal rule, they celebrated the first ever EHF Champions`s League title in the club's history.

Small consolation for Györi AUDI ETO KC - Anita Görbicz picked up the top scorer for the 2011/12 EHF Women's Champions League season.

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