Györ hand Rostov a bitter farewell to the top flight

Rostov-Don’s last game in this season’s Women’s EHF Champions League was as disappointing as their whole season, as the Russian team were defeated 32:25, by the last year’s finalist Györi Audi ETO KC.

A win against Györ would have hardly been a consolation for Rostov, after the Russian team were shockingly eliminated last week, following a painful home defeat against CSM Bucuresti.

But a positive result against arguably the best team of the group stage would have represented a fresh start for Rostov, with Jan Leslie’s side continuing their European season in the Women’s EHF Cup Group Phase.

• Anita Görbicz was Györ’s top scorer, the Hungarian playmaker scored seven goals in the second half for the Hungarian champions
• Rostov’s previous worst loss was recorded in the start of the group, 24:21, against CSM Bucuresti
• Youngsters like Pal or Puhalak scored their first ever goals in the Women's EHF Champions League for Györ

GROUP C

Györi Audi ETO KC (HUN) vs Rostov-Don (RUS) 32:25 (15:12)

Without the pressure looming, the two teams put up an open-minded fight and an impressive offensive display, as the shot efficiency was sky high in the first 25 minutes both for Györ and Rostov.

The two teams never held back and traded the lead five times in the first part of the game, with Rostov taking a two-goal lead, 10:8, after 19 minutes.

But the Rostov collapse, which happened against CSM Bucuresti and in the home leg against the Hungarian powerhouse was there to be seen also in Györ. As the hosts’ defence became restless, Nora Mørk, Nycke Groot and Yvette Broch were unstoppable in attack.

A 7:2 partial until the second half, that saw Rostov’s shot efficiency plummet from 70% to 57%, brought Györ to a three-goal lead at half-time, 15:12.

No answer from Rostov

There was no complacency from the Hungarian side in the second half, with Broch and Mørk in top form, as Györ jumped to a five-goal lead, 20:15.

A time-out taken by Jan Leslie saw Rostov get back on track, but eventually Györ showed why they won the group in such an emphatic fashion.

As the hosts continued to use all their players, even youngsters like Tamara Pal, Szidonia Puhalak or Julia Harsfalvi, Rostov’s experienced stalwarts did not find the proper way to break the Hungarian defence.

Therefore, it was little surprise that the unmotivated Rostov side crashed to their worst loss ever in the European top competition 32:25.

Györ progressed to the next phase from the top of the group, taking 6 points into the Main Round Group 2.