Larvik lose their Crown

There were no surprises in the EHF Women's Champions League semi-final between Budućnost and Larvik in the second leg (23:13). Ole Gustav Gjekstad's team fought very strongly in Podgorica for one half of the game, but in the second half the Norwegian team could not keep up with the rhythm of Budućnost.

“I want to congratulate Budućnost for reaching the final, they had a good game. They have been strong for all season. I think they deserved to be in the final,” said coach Ole Gustav Gjekstad.

“Of course, I am very disappointed that we didn’t play better. We had a great goalkeeper, and we had all the opportunities to score lot of goals. But we were not good enough to do that. We you lose on aggregate by 12 goals, it’s very clear who deserves to go to the finals,”

Since his team has played both finalists this year, Gjekstad also expressed his opinion about the outcome of the finale between Budućnost and Győri Audi ETO.

“It’s very difficult to say who is closer to a title. I think it will depend on who has the best goalkeepers on that day. It’s always important, so I think it will be two tight finals,” added the coach of Larvik.

Larvik goalkeeper Cecilie Leganger was the best player in her team, with 17 saves.

“Well, what can I say? We were not good enough in Podgorica. I think Budućnost started the game a little nervous actually, but they really grow up in the game,” she said.

“The atmosphere in the hall was really great, I think also for Larvik it is like a dream to play in such a place.”

Larvik had a lot of problems this season with injuries and maternity, and while some players left the team last summer they still managed to get into the semi final. But unfortunately for them, Budućnost was too strong.

“To be honest, this year has been like a roller coaster,” added Leganger. “Because we played bad and we still reached the semi final, I had a hope we could keep going until the end. I thought, it’s good, we fight, and we know how to fight in stressful situation.

“But in the second match against Budućnost we couldn’t use that, because home team was simply too good. In the second half we didn’t have a chance, we were simply not good enough.

“I am very disappointed, I had a dream to reach the final, I always had it, like all the other girls in the team and coaching staff, even though we were not the favourites.”

Asked about fellow goalkeeper Clara Woltering, Leganger added: “I think she played really good this year in the Women's Champions League. I have seen a lot of matches of Budućnost, and I think it’s been really good for Budućnost to have a class goalkeeper, who have a high level.

“I am not saying it was not the case before, but you need a goalkeeper with international experience. So I think it’s good for Budućnost, she did a very good job in both matches against us”, concluded Leganger.