Ferencváros sign two internationals and have serious long-term plans.
FTC rebuilds
The Budapest side FTC have started their journey to build another big team that shall become successor of the high-class team that has played CL-final in 2002 against Skopje. They now have signed two players from the Hungarian national team. Two local governments and several large companies sponsor the project.
The mainspring of the changes is the new manager, Beatrix Kökény, the idol of all Ferencváros fans. She was the playmaker of the club from 1992 until she ended her career in 2001.
The first new player of the club is left back Zsuzsanna Tomori who cancelled her contract with Györ by common accord three weeks ago. She has signed a one-year contract with FTC.
"Coach Gábor Elek and manager Beatrix Kökény said they would like to build another top team within the next 2-3 years. It was also important for me to play in a team which participates in a European Cup. Next season I have to fill-up psychically and mentally and find my way," Tomori said to eurohandball.com.
The second "big fish" in the Ferencváros net is Viborg's right wing, Mónika Kovacsicz who was member of the 2008/2009 CL-winning team. "I have made a one year agreement with FTC, but if everything turns out all right, I will already extend it during my first season. I have chosen this club to get more playing opportunities, and present myself before the Hungarian national team’s coach Eszter Mátéfi. Furthermore I also would like to be closer to my mother who's living alone," Kovacsicz explained.
The left handed player already spent one season in Ferencváros before she transferred to Viborg. In that successful year Kovacsicz was the top goal scorer of FTC.
The Hungarian club is planning to sign other top players in the next few weeks. That might include one current Hungarian international and one member of the junior national team that won the silver medal at the Junior European Championships last year.
At the present time FTC is fighting for place 5-8 in the Hungarian championship, but the "new team" is settling to go for silver next season, as Györ still looks unbeatable.
TEXT:
Balogh Ildikó