FTC-bound Kovacsics feels Györ have what it takes

Györi Audi ETO KC caused a huge upset as the Hungarian runners-up gave FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria, who had been unbeaten at home the entire Women’s EHF Champions League season, a thorough beating in front of their loyal fanbase. It was a particularly important match for Anikó Kovacsics, who is joining FTC this summer.

The 13-goal victory practically sealed the deal for Ambros Martín’s team, who handed a similarly devastating defeat to their domestic rivals in the Hungarian league, only a couple of days before the first leg of the quater-final tie.

"That domestic league game set the tone for us, but we all knew that a league game meant nothing when the Champions League semi-final was at stake. It was a great and important victory, but not one of us thought we could repeat it in Dabas where FTC had been unbeaten," Anikó Kovacsics told ehfCL.com.

Undisputed winner

The 24-year-old played an excellent game against FTC scoring four goals from five shots and was a vital part of the Györ team that wreaked havoc with Ferencváros’ hopes of reaching the Women's EHF FINAL4.

"We have seen miracles in sport, but judging by what we saw in the first game it would be a huge blow for us to let qualification slip through our fingers. We dominated FTC by defending extremely well and deserved to win by such a great margin," claimed Kovacsics.

Györ restricted FTC, Women’s EHF Champions League’s most prolific team, to 18 goals which speaks volumes about the rigour of their impregnable defence.

"Defence is vital in Ambros Martín’s philosophy and we have some extraordinary defenders. When we have a good day, we are very hard to beat. But when we had problems at the back, we struggled. This time everything worked out well."

I am a Györ player

Kovacsics will join Ferencváros this summer, but her performance against her to-be teammates backed her earlier words: "Until June I am a Györ player and I will give my all to win as much as we can.

"I was mentally ready for the challenge of playing against my future teammates and I remained focused. The fact that I know a lot of the girls from the national team also helped and we usually meet them several times during a season."

Kovacsics claimed it was the hardest decision of her life to leave Györ, but she wanted to test herself in her favourite centre back position.

"In my view, Györ are second to none. So it’s only normal that there is a fierce competition for positions. I was blessed with the opportunity to play alongside world class talents, but I wanted to see if I can become a truly great centre back," Kovacsics explained.

Title contenders?

Ambros Martín once again had to do without some of his sidelined stars, but the heavy injury crisis seemed to have come to an end.

"I hope so. It has been terrible, but Anita Görbicz has just played her first Champions League game in 2016 and Gabi Tóth is also getting fit, so I hope Györ can go for the titles in all competitions at full strength," she said.

The Spanish coach was busy building up the new team, but are they good enough to challenge for the title? Kovacsics acknowledges that there is strong competetion, but she feels Györ have what it takes.

"Our performance against Ferencváros was something we can build our confidence on. If we advance, we will face the best of the European elite and I believe our team can go all the way. But first things first: Let’s play a good game against FTC."