Györ aim to honour Martin with win in Budapest

Before the season several teams were touted to be favourites to win the Women’s EHF Champions League. CSM Bucuresti and Györ looked to be at the top of the crop, especially after the Romanian side convinced Cristina Neagu to come back to Romania.

But seven months later, Györ are trying to keep their head up high through an unprecedented injury crisis, while CSM had another up-and-down season - an emotional roller-coaster, similar to their title-winning campaign from two years ago.

• Both teams met seven times in the last three seasons, with Györ winning five times

• Györ can become the first team to win the Women’s EHF FINAL 4 two years in a row

• Cristina Neagu has been instrumental to CSM’s success with 101 goals so far

FIRST SEMI-FINAL

CSM Bucuresti (ROU) vs Györi Audi ETO KC (HUN)
Saturday 12 May, 15:15 hrs local time, live on ehfTV.com

It was two years ago, in the same Papp László Sportaréna, against the same opponent, when Györ suffered one of the biggest heartbreaks in the team’s history. Earmarked as the run-away favourite to clinch the trophy, the Hungarian powerhouse was shocked by the underdog as CSM won the trophy in a tense penalty shoot-out.

The tides have turned in 2018, with CSM boasting one of the best teams ever assembled in the European premium competition. A stellar nine-metre line with Amanda Kurtovic, Isabelle Gulldén and Cristina Neagu should make any defence tremble, while experienced players like Oana Manea and Paula Ungureanu only add to CSM’s strength.

But CSM lost four games on their way to the Women’s EHF FINAL4 and that sent the team’s management scrambling for solutions. Changing the coach as the season was reaching its business end was nothing new for the Romanian side and it was once again Per Johansson who came to the rescue.

The Swedish coach, who also led the Romanian side at last year’s finals tournament, replaced Helle Thomsen just seven days before the quarter-final against Metz. CSM looked rejuvenated in the first leg and their 34:21 win paved their way to Budapest.

“There was a feeling something needed to change in the team as we were not properly clicking,” CSM left wing Iulia Curea said. “But if we play like we did against Metz in Bucharest, there is no team in the world who could possibly stop us.”

It is Ambros Martin’s swansong for Györ. The Spanish coach, who led the Hungarian side to three trophies in the European top competition, confirmed his departure to Rostov-Don few weeks ago.

There is a sense that Györ’s players will also play for him, yet the Hungarian side has a mountain to climb after being hit by a flurry of injuries.

Top scorer Nora Mørk was the first to suffer a season-ending injury in February, followed by defensive stalwart Zsuszanna Tomori two months later. Also, playmakers Nycke Groot and Stine Oftedal missed several weeks due to injuries.

“This does not look like the same Györ we have seen in the last years,” Neagu said. “Of course, they are not to be underestimated, but I think we stand a big chance if we play our best game.”

From the five recent matches between both teams, two took place in the this season’s main round. While CSM played one of their best games of the season and won 28:22 at home, they totally collapsed in Györ where the title holders clinching a clear 28:24 win.