04.10.2018, 12:00
Which teams have the most attacking power?

FIRST-HAND INSIGHT: With the start of the Women's EHF Champions League only one day away, let’s have a look at the five teams with the most firepower

Which teams have the most attacking power?

The Women’s EHF Champions League 2018/19 is just around the corner. Before CSM Bucuresti and FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria throw off the new season in Romania on Friday (at 17:30 hrs CET, live on ehfTV.com), we take a closer look at the teams which are expected to boast the best attack.

Here is our top 5 - which includes both CSM and FTC:

5. FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria

FTC may have lost Laura van der Heijden, one of their key offensive assets, they still remain a dangerous side thanks to the presence of Spanish centre back Nerea Pena. What FTC lack in traditional offense, they usually make up with fast breaks, with youngsters Nadine Schatzl and Viktoria Lukacs scoring most of their goals in these situations.

4. ZRK Buducnost

The return of fan favourite Katarina Bulatovic to her home country was one of the main transfers of the summer. With the right back, Buducnost’s offense immediately looks different, especially since she might play alongside Milena Raicevic, who was the team’s best scorer last season in the Women’s EHF Champions League, with 72 goals.

3. Györi Audi ETO KC

The title holders might have struggled a little bit offensively last season, rather caused by multiple injuries than a lack of quality. With the injured players back on track, but without line player Yvette Broch, Györ are expected to shine again. Nora Mørk is still as impressive a scorer as she has ever been, while Eduarda Amorim showed in the Women’s EHF FINAL4 that she can still deliver in the most important moments. The arrival of Veronica Kristiansen will add even more firepower from the left back position.

2. Brest Bretagne Handball

Going into only their second season in the Women’s EHF Champions League, Brest have now built a team that should be able to keep up with the best teams in the competition. The French side signed two impressive scorers from last season: Isabelle Gulldén and Ana Gros, who combined to score 130 goals last season and will change the face of Brest this season. Add the World Player of the Year 2009, Allison Pineau, and young hungry players such as wingers Pauline Coatanea and Constance Mauny, and it looks like Brest fans will be in for a treat.

1. CSM Bucuresti

They had the best attack of the group matches last year (192 goals in six matches), and it looks like CSM Bucuresti have the same firepower again this season - even though they lost Isabelle Gulldén (Brest) and Line Jørgensen (Team Esbjerg) in the summer. Just take a look at the roster: Cristina Neagu (110 goals in 2017/18) and Nathalie Hagman (31) have been joined by Andrea Lekic (69), Barbara Lazovic (31) and left-handed Jovanka Radicevic (60). So CSM will boast two of the 10 best scorers from last season.

Read all about the best defence in the Women's EHF Champions League 2018/19 here.

TEXT: Kevin Domas / ew