Györ beat Vardar with masterclass performance

HC Vardar were taught a lesson by Györ Audi ETO KC in their Women’s Champions League Group C opener as the Hungarian side controlled the match from start to finish in the Jane Sandanski Arena.

Having boosted their squad in an effort to improve on last season’s third-place finish, Vardar started the game with hopes of getting the new campaign on the right track. However, they were subdued by the 2013 and 2014 winners, whose new-look side played on top of their limits.

GROUP C

HC Vardar (MKD) vs Györi Audi ETO KC (HUN) 22:27 (10:13)

Again tipped as one of the favourites to reach the Women's EHF FINAL4, HC Vardar left their fans and staff wondering whether they have what it takes to win Europe’s elite club competition after a crushing home defeat by Györi Audi ETO KC.

"We have no excuses for playing so bad," Vardar coach Indira Kastratovc said. "We simply were not a team (...) I believe that the next games will be better and better."

The outcome was sweet revenge for the Hungarian side after losing to Vardar in last season’s quarterfinals. The former champions are back with a vengeance albeit as dark horses this time.

"We played an excellent game from the beginning to the end," Györ coach Martin Ambros said. "We are familiar with Vardar because we played tough maches during the last season."

The very start showed that Vardar would struggle as Györ’s steely defence stifled the home team’s attack while it also opened a flurry of fast breaks and open shots at the other end.

Driven by the unstoppable Heidi Löke, who scored five goals from seven shots in the first half, Györ carved out an 8:5 lead midway through the opening period.

"We started really well from the first moment," Löke said. "I am proud of my teammates and the way we performed today." 

Vardar fought as hard as they could to stay in touch but their last real chance of avoiding a fiasco was when new signing Sanja Damnjanovic slashed the deficit to 9:11 shortly before the break.

With Löke marked tightly after the interval, Györ thrived on lethal long-range shooting by Zsuzsanna Tomori as their lead initially swelled to 17:12 and then soared to 26:18, with the visitors exploiting gaps on either flank.

A late rally could only salvage some pride for Vardar as they reduced the arrears to five goals, but it was Györ who had the last laugh after delivering a vintage and morale-boosting performance.

Aniko Kovacsics capped a dazzling individual evening with six goals from as many shots for the visitors, with Löke adding five and Tomori chipping in with four. Vardar were led by Maja Sokac who netted five goals from as many penalties while Andrea Penezic netted four for a misfiring home side.