03.05.2012, 09:59
It's showtime!

Preview of the first leg match of the EHF Women's Champions League Final 2011/12

It's showtime!

Győri Audi ETO KC (HUN) – Budućnost (MNE)
Saturday 5 May 2012, 17:15 hrs (local time)
EHF Women's Champions League Final, First Leg

In this year’s EHF Women's Champions League, a new team will be crowned after the two matches of the final have been played, as both Hungarian Győri Audi ETO KC and Montenegrin Budućnost have never won so far the final of the most prestigious club tournament in the world.

With the final berth the Montenegrins celebrated their biggest success so far in their history, and after top performances throughout the season both clubs certainly aim for more.

As usual, ehfCL.com will give you news, updates and first-hand information in the build-up to this highly interesting final.

The captivating EHF Women’s Champions League reaches its climax on Saturday 5 May at 17:15 hrs local time, when hosts Győri Audi ETO KC take on Montenegrin champions Budućnost in the first leg match of what should be a classic tie, long to be remembered by handball fans across Europe.

Insiders, fans and experts all agree that the two best teams will lock horns in a potentially high-class and entertaining final, the second leg of which will take place on Sunday 13th May in Podgorica, Montenegro.

The hosts will once again be roared on by 5,000 passionate home fans in the imposing Veszprém Arena, but the away side will also count on the loud cheering and drumming of around 500 fans that will make the long journey from Montenegro.

Both teams are seeking their first ever EHF CL title and whilst Budućnost can boast an impressive season record of 13 victories and only one loss, Győri Audi ETO KC have a real All Star Team within their ranks, so the mouth-watering contest is an unpredictable event in the strength-sapping tournament.

The frenetic home crowd support has been a telling factor for the Hungarians and their centre-back Andrea Lekić asks for another raucous evening in the Veszprém Arena, where Oltchim found it difficult to cope with the noise level in the semi-final.

"The match against the Romanians caused shivers for all of us and our opponents seemed to be shocked by the vociferous spectators in the stands. I expect even louder fan support on Saturday," said Lekić.

The Montenegrin players do not fear the hellish atmosphere in Hungary, though, as they’ve already coped with the loud Sala Sporturilor Traian in Râmnicu Vâlcea during the Main Round, where Katarina Bulatović and her team-mates celebrated a massive 10 goal victory.

Both clubs present a highly efficient attacking line-up and whilst coach Dragan Adžić's team has, in Bulatović and Bojana Popović, the two highest scoring left and right back of tournament so far, the hosts will have faith in the magnificent Anita Görbicz, the queen of Hungarian handball, who currently leads the top scorer list with an impressive 112 goals.

Along with her quality team-mates, Görbicz has given a highly impressive performance this season, and it’s evident that the playmaker has risen to another level with Győri Audi ETO KC.

She is not the only handball force to be reckoned with, as there is also current World Handball player of the year Heidi Løke, who lifted the EHF CL trophy last season and is aiming for her next silverware in these next two weeks!

Looking at the line-up and squad list of Budućnost, it's obvious that the Montenegrin champions and their management have done an outstanding job in the last few years to build a quality, successful team.

From season to season the club has trusted its main core of players and only went for necessary additions at certain positions. Last summer President Predrag Bošković decided to strengthen his squad with high profile goalkeeper Clara Woltering, who is continuously receiving accolades from Montenegrin supporters.

The German international has an amazing saving efficiency throughout the season and the Budućnost defence supports her as strongly as possible. Title-holder Larvik can testify to this, as, in the return tie of the semi-final the east Europeans put up a massive wall to restrict the Norwegians to only 13 goals.

Without any doubt, the duel of these two teams will be THE women's handball highlight of the season, and for sure, after the completion of the two ties, the handball world will see new champions.

Budućnost are playing their first ever EHF Women's Champions League final, whilst for Győri Audi ETO KC it will be their second and all together seventh European cup final.

The Hungarians have lost all six final duels in their history so far, but have high hopes that the seventh will turn to gold for them and they will be crowned as champions on 13 May 2012.

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Watch both legs of the EHF Women's Champions League Final on ehfTV.com (subject to local restrictions). Click HERE for more information. 

TEXT: Márk Hegedüs