Title-holders make it four wins out of four

Gábor Danyi’s Győr squad was its own enemy by allowing Thüringer HC to stay in the game, but although the title-holders are still unbeaten, with four wins in four, their new running game style has not been perfected yet by the athletes.

• 2017/18 champions make it four wins out of four to top Group C
• Anna Mette Hansen scores six for home side, Alicia Stolle netted eight times for the German team
• THC named just 13 players instead of the allowed 16
• One player who stayed home for THC was Jana Krause was on duty as a police officer
• In a near-replay of their first clash, it was a strong second-half performance from the Hungarian team which sealed their victory

GROUP C

Győri Audi ETO KC (HUN) vs Thüringer HC (GER) 31:28 (19:15)

With three world-class goalkeepers to choose from, Győr coach Győri Danyi started with Eva Kiss between the posts and went on to save the first three shots she faced, while Anne Mette Hansen opened the scoring for the Hungarian on her way to her total of six goals.

The visitors from Germany had set a high tempo with their thunderous play and Herbert Muller’s side were able to keep level with their hosts, staying equal and then later taking the lead through the goals of Meike Schmelzer and Iveta Luzumova, but they did not do enough to stay close at the break, finding themselves 19:15 down.

However, the second half was completely different – eventually ‘won’ 23:21 by the German side – as Alicia Stolle was unstoppable, scoring eight times in total in the game as Győr missed three consecutive penalty shots along with racking up the most turnovers in their Women’s Champions League season so far and going long periods without scoring – at one stage it was well over six minutes.

But with Amandine Leynaud ready and willing on the bench, Danyi brought the French international goalkeeper on as she made an immediate difference from joining the game in the 50th minute. Her effectiveness in keeping the German side out ensured that she preserved the Hungarian’s record and they eventually won by three – although they had to work hard for the two points.

“As long as my team plays with such an attitude and fights for 60 minutes I cannot be mad at them,” said coach Danyi after the match. “Moreover, I am proud that they never gave up and we are still leading our group.”