Players greet the media in a buoyant mood

Media day is when you get a rare chance to see players in their unusual surroundings - at least from the media point of view. It is when they are most relaxed and remote from the court, making their private lives as close as possible to the media eye.

Speaking of the eyes, they were all pointed towards one thing on Friday – the players and their feelings, now literally counting down the hours until the MVM EHF FINAL4.

The arrival of the teams was a festival for itself. The initial impressions of the players arriving at the hotel promised what it is all about – top handball and an enjoyable time, in what is the pinnacle of the Women’s EHF Champions League season.

The double holiday

One day after their arrival to Budapest, the enthusiasm bubble has not burst for Larvik, or arguably their biggest star at the moment, Nora Mork.

“I have been waiting for this for so long, and it is amazing to be here. Just to come in to the lobby yesterday and seeing the Larvik logo was so cool. It feels real, and it feels right,“ said the always-smiling Larvik right back.

Being back among the top four teams, whilst playing at her first MVM EHF FINAL4, Mork was fascinated with everything regarding the event - including her opponents in the Saturday's semi-final match.

“Dinamo is a great team, this will be a hard match. They have some individual players who fascinate me,” added the enthusiastic, but cautious Mork.

Regardless whether they win or not, it is going to be a double holiday for Dinamo-Sinara tomorrow. The team from Volgograd is celebrating their MVM EHF FINAL4 debut together with one of the greatest national holidays in Russia – the Victory day.

“Tomorrow it’s a great holiday in Russia as we celebrate the Victory day. This is a very big day for everyone in Russia and especially for our city Volgograd. That is why we will keep this in mind and try to make a success," said Olga Akopian, Volgograd native and the long-serving Dinamo-Sinara left back.

Nothing beats the hard work

The hardworking Buducnost were at their usual frame of mind. The “Blues” from Podgorica were far more focused on the team’s training and preparation, rather than taking advantage of the short spells of their off-court time in Budapest.

"A few days ago we held our 278th training of the season and I had all the players available for the first time. We are very satisfied that all of them are recovered; it could give us enough power to win both matches," said the hands-on Montenegrin tactician Dragan Adzic.

There will be no Danish teams at the MVM EHF FINAL4 this year. However, according to Adzic, the fans in Papp Laszlo Sportarena are still going to be able to see some typical Danish handball.

"I am sure that Vardar will play handball in typical Danish style, but both Buducnost and Montenegro national team have enough experience to deal with it," said Adzic, obviously deep in preparation for the tomorrow’s game against WHC Vardar SCBT.

Kilometers not an obstacle

Although it is a European event, the fans from Tunisia will too have a side to support at the MVM EHF FINAL4. The distance will not be a problem for a few adventurous Tunisian fans, who will travel more than two thousand kilometers in support of their compatriot and Dinamo-Sinara line player Asma El Ghaoui at the Papp Laszlo Sportarena, come the match against Larvik.

“I’m sure we will enjoy being here and I am definitely excited to play against the best players in the world! My friends are coming from my country to support us during this weekend, so for me it is huge,” said the Monastir-born player.

Check the gallery from the media day in the Aquincum hotel here