Will last years' bad luck for Görbicz turn to gold on her birthday?

Besides Győri Audi ETO goalkeeper Katalin Pálinger, centre-back Anita Görbicz can be called one of the most famous handball players in Hungary, and several youth players claim her as their icon and the reason for starting to play handball.

Görbicz has been on the international scene since 2002. In her 10-year international career the skilled playmaker has gone through several highs and lows, collecting many medals, but silverware is still missing from her collection.

The 29-year-old has been close to winning trophies many times. Everyone in the country remembers Hungary`s amazing run in the World Championship in 2003 in Croatia, where the red-white-green team was clearly ahead, but failed against France in the final and finished a disappointing second.

That silver medal has been Anita's best achievement with the national team so far. With her club Győri Audi ETO KC she is writing history in the domestic league, as in the last few years the club has cemented its number one position in Hungary, outclassing every opponent.

In European Cup competitions Görbicz has played in finals in all three cups, but some disappointing moments have prevented the playmaker and her club from lifting the trophy in the Women's EHF Cup (season 2002, 2004 and 2005), the EHF Women's Cup Winners' Cup (season 2006) and the EHF Women's Champions League (season 2009).

Back in season 2008/09 the Hungarians reached their first ever EHF Women's Champions League final and despite winning away in Denmark, Görbicz and her team-mates disappointedly lost the return tie and finished as second in the prestigious tournament.

This year, the marvellous playmaker is unstoppable. She is cold-blooded on 7-metre penalties, plays amazingly well at the left-wing position, and is the super director of her side's attacks. She is arguably at the peak of her career.

At this stage of the current season Görbicz is the top scorer of the competition with 124 goals, ahead of Bojana Popović who has 21 goals less.

To crown her 10th international year in handball, she aims to add first place in the EHF Women's Champions League. Her side has a narrow two-goal advantage ahead of the second leg in Podgorica, Montenegro on Sunday (13 May).

Görbicz: "We were weak in defence in the first game, while our opponents stood rock-solid on their defensive line. We have to prepare well for the return match and must produce a defence as strong as theirs!"

She added: "In our away matches we usually perform well, and fast, so I hope we can maintain our slim advantage in Podgorica. I will celebrate my birthday on the exact date of the second leg and I don’t wish for anything else, only the trophy as my birthday gift!"

Her good friend, former Győri Audi ETO team-mate, Buducnost's Ana Đokić knows about Görbicz's special day and she will certainly have a gift for her.

"It’ll be a surprise, but it surely won’t be the EHF Women's Champions League trophy!," she said.