No time to enjoy success in Győr

"Winning three in a row means nothing, this is the league of champions were you can't afford to lay back and think you've done it all. We didn't play well today but still managed to beat a well-trained side, but let this be a lesson to everybody: you always have to give your all.” These are the words of Ambros Martin, head coach of Győri Audi ETO after beating Thüringer HC thus qualifying for the Main Round last Sunday.

Year by year the gap between Hungarian champions and the EHF Champions League trophy shrank until – after getting painfully close the previous years – last year ETO managed to lift the trophy. This required combined efforts from players, coaches and management, but in Győr people know they can't just sit back and enjoy success.

"When I came to Győr I found strong foundations. All I needed to achieve is to make my players forget the past wash-outs and concentrate on short term goals, which may lead us to our primary targets. This worked out perfect," said Martin after last season's final with Larvik.

Only time will tell ...

The defending champions went through some changes as they released the excellent right wing, Jovanka Radicevic and let go of Andrea Lekic's powerfull skills, who both joined WHC Vardar. Hungarian international Bernadett Bognar-Bodi took over at righ wing, while superstar signing Katarina Bulatovic filled the only gap in the squad as a left handed heavy shooter. Is this Győr stronger or weaker – only time will tell.

„Yes, we are at pole position but this means everybody is out to get us. For this reason our motto for this year is: The same way, only better," said Martin after the first round.

So far this group has not provided too many answers as far as Győr's progress is concerned: four straight wins for the defending champions secured their place in the next stage with two rounds of the Group Matches still to be played. The first two rounds were a piece of cake (41:22 vs Hypo and 33:21 at Baia Mare), even at Thüringer ETO was up by 10+ goals when Martin sent in his second line of players to gain Champions League experience.

But instead the German side gained confidence for the return leg and caused some problems for Győr as their seven-goal-victory was their least convincing performance.

"I am happy and satisfied with my team's progress, we are where we are supposed to be at this moment. This is a long journey that ends next May, it's only normal that we make mistakes at this stage but we are on the right path," claimed Martin at the club's official website.

Well-shared burden of goalscoring

Before the season it was to be feared how such superstars like "queen" of handball Anita Görbicz and "her majesty" Katarina Bulatovic will agree together (not to mention the team's Brasilian and Norwegian stars) but while it is to be truly seen when hard times come, so far the team spirit is high and the burden of goalscoring is well-shared. Against Thüringer Bulatovic was top scorer at home, Görbicz away while Loke rose the flag high against Hypo and Baia Mare.

As newcomers are building in, the team's defence seems as tough as ever and Ambros Martin keeps the morale high Győr is likely to be the team to beat for all those hoping to lift the trophy at the end of the season.