14.10.2016, 03:00
Prominent players change clubs in women's European top flight

FEATURE: Leading EHF correspondents from all corners of Europe have put together the ranking of the biggest transfers of the last summer.

Prominent players change clubs in women's European top flight

HC Vardar and Rostov-Don both have three players in the Top 10 list of the transfers in the Women's EHF Champions League, which has been compiled by a group of EHF experts.

Neither of those teams have made the biggest signing, according to our experts, though. Györi Audi ETO KC possess the first place without dispute.

10. Siraba Dembele – Rostov-Don

Vardar have not only been active on the transfer market this summer.

The Macedonian champions have also said goodbye to players, and one of them is French international Siraba Dembele who has joined Rostov-Don.

The 30-year-old looks like an obvious reinforcement on head coach Jan Leslie's left wing and will add elegance and experience to an already very strong Russian side.

9. Danick Snelder – FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria

FTC seem to have made a golden signing in the 26-year-old Dutch international for the line.

She may not be the one who approaches FTC to Györ in the internal Hungarian rivalry, but the strong line player's arrival from German champions Thüringer HC looks to be an obvious reinforcement for the Hungarian runners-up

8. Eliza Buceschi – FC Midtjylland

We meet another former THC player in eighth position.

24-year-old Romanian international Eliza Buceschi is joining FC Midtjylland after a year in the Bundesliga, and the shooting playmaker will be an extremely competent successor to Swedish international Johanna Ahlm, who has left the Danish runners-up.

Buceschi's skills will come in very useful in Midtjylland's Champions League group, where the opponents are no other than Györ, Rostov-Don and CSM Bucuresti.

7. Mayssa Pessoa – HC Vardar

Not many people have probably forgotten Mayssa Pessoa's decisive influence on the Women's EHF Champions League final this spring, in the extra time as well as in the penalty shootout, as CSM Bucuresti defeated Györ to lift the trophy.

From this season, Vardar will be benefiting from the 32-year-old Brazilian national team goalkeeper's skills and experience.

With Pessoa, Amandine Leynaud and Inna Suslina in her squad, Vardar coach Indira Kastratovic is not likely to have to worry about the goalkeeper position.

6. Alexandra Lacrabere – HC Vardar

29-year-old French international Alexandra Lacrabere is back in the Champions League after joining Vardar from Nice on her homeland.

Judging by the experienced right back's performances at the Rio Olympics, where she played a considerable part in France winning the silver medal, there is no doubt that Lacrabere will prove to be another asset in Vadar's efforts to reach the top of the podium in European women's handball.

5. Ana Paula Rodrigues – Rostov-Don

After winning the Champions League with CSM last season, Ana Paula Rodrigues was first heading for Danish league club Odense, but the 29-year-old Brazilian international ended up in the Russian powerhouse Rostov-Don.

With Rodrigues' creativity, mobility and shooting skills, the Russian runners-up from last season have obviously added further qualities to their already impressive line of playmakers.

4. Camilla Herrem – HC Vardar

The 29-year-old Norwegian international is getting around in Handball Europe these days.

Vardar will be Camilla Herrem's fourth club in four years, and joining from Danish Holstebro, she is making her comeback to the Champions League after one of absence.

With her speed in the counter attacks as well as her variety of shots from the left wing position, she will undoubtedly be able to fill out the gap after Siraba Dembele who has left for Rostov-Don as we mentioned.

3. Majda Mehmedovic – CSM Bucuresti

The reigning Women's EHF Champions League winners CSM only have one player in the top 10 list, but a highly prominent one.

After 11 years with Buducnost in her homeland, Majda Mehmedovic's shift to the Romanian back-to-back champions is just as remarkable as important.

After Danish international Maria Fisker has returned home to Denmark to represent Randers HK, the 26-year-old Montenegrin international will be a very competive for CSM as she will be missed in Buducnost.

2. Anna Vyakhireva – Rostov-Don

On the second place, we are back in Southern Russia. Through the signing of Anna Vyakhireva from Astrakhanochka who defeated Rostov-Don in the final of the Russian championship last season, Rostov have solved their right back problem and solved it well.

A left-handed back court player at a high level was one of the few types of players, Rostov-Don were missing last season.

The arrival of 21-year-old shooting star and Russian international Vyakhireva, that position is filled out an a highly reassuring way.

1. Nora Mørk – Györi Audi ETO KC

One position, on which all EHF experts can agree, is the first place. All votes have simply been cast for Nora Mørk´s transfer from Larvik to Györ.

As EHF journalist Björn Pazen puts it: “With Mørk, Györ are definitely the clear favourite to win the trophy.” It is hard to disagree with him.

With the signing of one of the absolutely best right backs in the world, the losing finalists from the Women's EHF Champions League last season look considerably stronger than they did last year, where exactly the right back position was not exactly the position, where they were most strongly equipped.

TEXT: Peter Bruun / br