03.05.2014, 05:10
Győr beat feisty Midtjylland for the final

MATCH REVIEW: The defending champions made their way to the last match for the trophy after beating FC Midtjylland 29:26 in the first semi-final

Győr beat feisty Midtjylland for the final

Győri Audi ETO KC are the first team to reach the final of the MVM EHF FINAL4. The defending champions led FC Midtjylland all game long but the Danish side refused to give in and put up a fight against the Hungarian favourites, who managed to get hold of their advantage and won 29:26.

MVM EHF FINAL4, semi-final:
Györi Audi ETO KC (HUN) vs FC Midtjylland (DEN) 29:26 (16:11)

Running women

Both teams started as if they play in such high pressure games every week, there was no trace of nervousness as Győr and Midjtylland went head to head in the first five minutes. Lunde set the tone of the game with a couple of brilliant saves and Győr’s defence settled into the match quickly when the holders went three up. Still, it was surprising that the Hungarian team did not want to slow down the tempo but rather challenged Midtjylland in running.

Although Midjtylland had considerable problems when the Győr defence had time to take up formation, the Danish were eager to prove they are rightful participants of the FINAL4 and managed to stay close to the holders. Katarina Bulatovic and "deputy" playmaker Anikó Kovacsics shot over the Danish wall and Győr extended their lead to six goals.

With an eye on Sunday’s duties both teams started rotating, which seemed to help the Danish who came a little closer by the interval but Győr was in firm controll of the game.

Midtjylland back in the game

The Danish started the second half so much better that Ambros Martin was forced to take his first time out as Midtjylland closed the gap to two goals due to their tight defending and much-needed saves from Sabine Englert.

"The fans thought it was going to be easy to beat Midtjylland, but actually it wasn’t. It is a totally different feeling to be on the court and when there was only a slight difference between the two teams we were a bit scared. But we managed to win and it is a fantastic feeling,” Györ captain Anita Görbicz said.

It took the Hungarians almost ten minutes to re-build the 4-5 goal gap that put them back in the driver’s seat but Stine Jörgensen kept Midtjylland in sight with her lightning quick shots. 15 minutes before the final whistle it seemed that the Danes were strong enought not to let Győr too far ahead but did not have the strength to come so close as to make Győr nervous.

Győr’s advantage proved enough

Midtjylland fought extremely well to stay in the game and even managed to come back to three goals as the scoring duel of Jörgensen and Bulatovic continued to stun the Arena. The Hungarians made the most of their superior squad, the longer bench provided Ambros Martin with more options to choose from and although Midtjylland never said die and fought all the way to the very end Győr emerged as winners.

The Hungarians are in the final but Midtjylland stood up to the defenders and refused to play the role of an underdog in the Papp László Sportarena. Győr was not at their best but the aim was to get to the final and save some energy on the way, which they accomplished.

"Of course it is disappointing to lose such an important game and not being in the final. We entered the game with too much respect, so we lost the game in the first half. We did our best, but as I'm used to these kind of games, I will come over it. And tomorrow there's another game, what we have to win,“ Midtjylland goalkeeper Sabine Englert said.

TEXT: Bence Martha / br