04.04.2018, 02:10
Györ look to future with Martin's successor appointed

NEWS REPORT: Long-serving assistant coach Gabor Danyi will take over at the helm next season as the in-form defending champions prepare for their Women's Champions League Quarter-final clash with Buducnost

Györ look to future with Martin's successor appointed

The end of the 2017/18 season will also mark the end of an era for Györ. The man synonymous to the club’s biggest successes, Ambros Martin, will leave the Hungarian powerhouse.

Following his six-year tenure at Györ, the Spanish tactician has found a new challenge at the ambitious Women’s EHF Champions League outfit Rostov-Don.

However, the work in the current season is far from over for Martin, with a daunting task of fighting for two more trophies after winning the domestic cup final last weekend.

Coming up is the first leg of the Champions League Quarter-final tie against Buducnost in Podgorica on Saturday at 19:00 hrs (live on ehfTV.com).

Györ entrust the long-serving assistant

Meanwhile, Györ did not have to look far to find Martin’s successor, having entrusted the long-serving assistant coach Gabor Danyi to take over on 1 July.

Danyi is a familiar face at Györ’s, having been a member of the backroom staff since 2010. He has played a big part in club’s biggest successes, assisting former coaches Csaba Konkoly and Karl Erik Böhn as well as Martin.

The 54-year old Danyi has won three Women’s EHF Champions League trophies (and two additional final appearances) as well as six Hungarian league and cup triumphs with Györ, underlining his readiness to step up.

Danyi will surround himself with a plethora of knowledge and expertise, with Zdravko Zovko (assistant coach), Attila Kun (video analyst) and Zoltan Holanek (physio) introduced as first-team staff.

Clear signals of stability and confidence

The appointment of Danyi at the helm of the Hungarian powerhouse will send clear signals of stability and confidence going forward, while many will eagerly anticipate the improvements the competent tactician will introduce to the star-laden team.

“I cannot wait (to take over). But only from 1 July. Right now, I will not even think about it as a very important period follows until the end of the season,” said the 54-year-old Danyi, before speaking about his preferred style of play.

“My philosophy is based around the faster game, especially with regard to counter attacks. I want to mix the Hungarian school with the elements that we have received from abroad,” Danyi told Nemzetisport.hu

With no more uncertainties regarding the future, Györ will be able to put all their effort and focus on the imminent challenges.

In the Hungarian NB I league, Györ face a stern battle with bitter rivals FTC for the championship in weeks to come. Currently they share the lead with 36 points each.

Meanwhile, Györ have won the domestic cup for a record 13^th time by beating Erdi 27:23 in the final last Sunday.

A spell of fine form

And the Champions League trophy holders are two matches away from their fourth Women’s EHF FINAL4 as they are regarded favourites in a double-header against the young Buducnost team, their next obstacle on the way to what could become a historic title defence.

The Hungarian side are enjoying a spell of fine form of late, having impressively climbed top of their main round group to their 12th consecutive quarter-final, despite season-long injury troubles.

Meanwhile, as the likes of Eduarda Amorim and Anja Althaus steadily return to form, Zsuzsana Tomori will join Nora Mørk on the sidelines for another six months.

The catalyst to their Women’s EHF Champions League form, versatile playmaker Stine Oftedal, has been given a 10-day rest following a minor knee injury. Having missed the Hungarian cup final, the in-form Norwegian will presumably be ready for the Buducnost game on Saturday.

TEXT: Nemanja Savic / ew