11.07.2017, 12:30
Görbicz retains EHF Player of the Month recognition alongside Cindric

NEWS REPORT: Results in club and national team competitions both had a say in the voting for June’s awards

Görbicz retains EHF Player of the Month recognition alongside Cindric

June saw the 2016/17 European Cup season conclude with the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne, while the women competed World Championship Qualification and these competitions delivered the most recent EHF Player of the Month awards for two playmakers.

EHF journalists around Europe voted in favour of Anita Görbicz for the second month in row, while Luka Cindric came out on top in the men’s vote. 

Second consecutive award for Görbicz

Having excelled in the TIPPMIX EHF FINAL4 with eventual champions Györ, the Hungarian superstar played a crucial part in Hungary's World Championship Qualification Play-off against Slovakia as Görbicz defended her title as player of the month. 

Görbicz made the difference between Hungary and Slovakia as the first leg ended with a nine-goal win for the Hungarians, whose inspirational captain scored exactly nine goals. 

The Győr skipper, who had the chance to play as a playmaker for the national team having been deployed on the left wing under coach Ambros Martín, played brilliantly in Debrecen. However, the Hungarian team had a mediocre game in the reverse fixture, but eight goals from Görbicz were enough to seal their spot in the World Championship in December. 

The 34-year-old playmaker claimed she missed playing as a centre back and added she was happy to have a chance to play in the middle for the national team. 

EHF Players of the Month – June 2017: Female
1. Anita Görbicz
2. Tamara Mavsar
3. Michaela Hrbkova
4. Djurdjina Jaukovic
5. Daria Samokhina

Cindric: “This kind of moments you can experience only once during your career”

For the first time in his career Luka Cindric topped the podium of the VELUX EHF Champions League thanks to a sensational weekend HC Vardar had in Cologne. 

With 61 goals throughout the season, Luka Cindric turned out to be one of the key players in the squad of the freshly crowned champions and he confirmed this status in Cologne. 

“I’m very happy that the EHF journalists recognised me as the player of the month. This means a step forward for me and of course more motivation and self-confidence for the future.

“The event in Cologne was something amazing and the whole organisation is at a very high level. It was a big pleasure to play in such an outstanding atmosphere and I believe with our achievement we demonstrated that in the big games, the team as a whole always wins,” says Luka Cindric

In the semi-final clash against Barcelona, Luka Cindric was key to Vardar’s success, scoring the last three goals, including the amazing buzzer beater to reach their very first final.

“This kind of goal and moment is a once in a lifetime experience, which is why it was very special for me and I’m enjoying our success even more,” adds Cindric.

“We had a dream season and we literally won every competition in which we participated. I’m very proud of the whole team and all the successes we had this year.

This is not the only award Cindric picked up as he and his teammates were given the ‘Macedonian Medal of Merit’ following their triumph.

EHF Players of the Month – June 2017: Male
1. Luka Cindric
2. Arpad Sterbik
3. Vuko Borozan
4. Thierry Omeyer
5. Nikola Bilyk

TEXT: Amina Idrizi and Bence Mártha / cor