Tension rises as teams start to arrive in Budapest

Newcomers always arrive first. Two years ago, when the first ever Women’s EHF FINAL4 was staged in Budapest, it was Midtjylland who arrived first at the Aquincum hotel, then Dinamo-Sinara a year later, and this year CSM Bucuresti.

The Romanian team caused a huge upset by eliminating Group 1 winners Rostov-Don and the players arrived at their hotel full of smiles. Bella Gullden, who was voted EHF Player of the Month in April looked particularly happy but all the players entered the hotel in great mood.

"Budapest is always Budapest, it’s a very nice place. It’s great to be here and I hope we can make the best out of it. Tomorrow I expect a big game in the semi-final,” claimed Gullden upon arrival. The players quickly settled and soon after they had a training.

CSM Bucuresti will meet Macedonian Vardar in the second semi-final starting at 17:45 CET.

The second team to arrive was Vardar, who are hoping to make it past the semi-final this year having participated in all three Women’s EHF FINAL4s but chasing the final in vain. It’s not a surprise most of the Macedonian players knew their way around as most of them have already been to Aquincum hotel.

There was one player with an extra amount of luggage: it’s Andrea Klikovac’s birthday and the Montenegrin right back got off the bus with an enormous amount of flowers, balloons and gifts from her teammates.

The star of the team, Andrea Lekic took the time to share her thoughts with EHF’s mobile reporter. "I hope this year we can make it a step further and play for the title this year. But the semi-final will be a very tough match, too, and while most people tell us we are the favourites, I don’t think so. It’s a 50-50 game,” said Lekic, who added that playing two intensive games in 24 hours is extremely difficult.

Győri Audi ETO and title holders Buducnost arrived only on Friday.

Check the gallery on Vardar arrival here
Check the gallery on CSM arrival here
Check the gallery on Buducnost arrival here
Check the gallery on Györ arrival here