Seven new players, one ongoing target

After several unsuccessful attempts in the preceding years Györi Audi ETO KC struck back twice in succession – in 2013, the last season of the old playing system, they were on top of the podium, and in 2014 they defended their title as first ever winner of the Women’s EHF FINAL4 competition format in Budapest.

The eleven-time Hungarian champions beat Larvik in the finals of the 2012/13 season, then in May 2014 defeated Buducnost in the FINAL4 Final to the delight of thousands of fans in the Papp Laszlo Budapest Sportarena. Now with the EHF decision to hold the Women’s EHF FINAL4 until 2016 at the same venue, Györ hope to make it to Budapest to play the main event on home soil again.

The squad of the defending champions underwent major changes in the lead up to the 2014/15 season. Goalkeeper Katrine Lunde Haraldsen is pregnant and has been replaced by Croatian international Jelena Grubisic.

Right back Katarina Bulatovic (three times EHF Champions League winner with three different clubs – Slagelse FH, Buducnost and Györ) returned home to Buducnost and was replaced by German Susann Müller, top scorer of the World Championship 2013 in Serbia. Additionally Györ widened their squad through the inclusion of top talents like Russian Anna Sen. In total, five players left and seven newcomers arrived in the ‘motor city’.

Following the second EHF Champions League triumph, “the expectations are even higher than in the last year,” says club President Erno Kelecseny, adding: “There were quite big changes in the squad; we have to get used to each other very well to be successful this season again. I believe this is the strongest squad our club has ever had, so we are looking forward to seeing how far we can go this year.”

Györ also expects a very special boost this season – before their last match of the group phase against IK Sävehof, the newly built Audi Arena will open its gates and some weeks later will host matches of the Women’s EHF EURO 2014. In addition to a new venue, Györ welcome a new, but well-known manager in former Györ and Hungarian national team goalkeeper Katalin Palinger.

Another situation will be new for Györ – they are the only Hungarian side in the EHF Champions League group phase, as FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria lost in the qualification stage to HC Leipzig (Germany), the former club of newcomer Susann Müller.

In the group matches the defending champions will face three-time Champions League winners Viborg HK A/S, Swedish champions IK Sävehof and Croatian champions HC Lokomotiva Zagreb.

Last season’s top scorer and Györ team captain, Anita Görbicz, is looking forward to another great season, but remains humble.

“It is a very good feeling to start as winners again, but we also know that everybody wants to beat us. The team has seven new players, which means we have to get to know each other first. The new players are really motivated, as are all the others. We don’t want to think about the end of the season now; most important are the three opponents in the group phase. The road ahead of us is long, and we should always focus only on the next step,” Görbicz said.

Qualifying for the FINAL4 in Budapest would continue a historic series – no team before in the history of the EHF Champions League has been part of eight consecutive semi-finals, a feat Györ have achieved since 2007.

Three questions to coach Ambros Martin:

Concerning your objectives and your group phase opponents, what are your expectations for the upcoming season of the Women’s EHF Champions League?

Ambros Martin: What’s most important is the present. We have to go step by step, match by match. We have a lot of new players, so we have a lot of work to do. We have two Scandinavian opponents, Viborg and Sävehof, who run a lot, and Lokomotiva, a team with the potential to be the dark horse of the group. Of course we want to win all of our matches, but it won’t be easy. Our objectives are high, as usual. We have to fight for them every day!
 
What does participation in the Women’s EHF Champions League mean to you and your club?

Ambros Martin: We work, train and live every day for the Champions League, because we want to win it. We are very happy to play in this competition – this is the highest level of club handball anywhere in the world. It is an honour to play Champions League games, and we feel that during every game we play.
 
Which teams are your personal favourites to reach the FINAL4 tournament of the Women’s EHF Champions League season and why?

Ambros Martin: Vardar – they have more experience than last year and they also count on good players with a stable background. Larvik – they are big fighters, who never give up in any game. They have a good mix of experienced players and young talents. Buducnost – the strongest aspect of Buducnost’s game is the defence. It is not easy to play against them and it has been that way for years. Plus, Katarina Bulatovic will be a big gain for them. HCM Baia Mare – they have the potential to be the surprise team of the season; they signed good, experienced players during the off season.

Qualification for the EHF Women’s Champions League 2014/15 season: Hungarian champions

Newcomers:
Jelena Grubisic (RK Krim Mercator)
Macarena Aguilar Diaz (Randers HK)
Vesna Milanovic Litre (HC Podravka Vegeta)
Anna Sen (Rostov-Don)
Susann Müller (HC Leipzig)
Szimonetta Planeta (returning from loan to Veszprém Barabas Dunatakarek KC)
Kyra Csapo (Dunaujvaros)

Left the club:
Katarina Bulatovic (Buducnost)
Victoria Redei-Soos (FTC Rail Cargo Hungaria)
Dora Hornyak (Ipress Center-Vac)
Szederke Sirian (DVSC-Forum Debrecen)
Raphaelle Tervel (end of career)

Coach: Ambros Martin (since 2012)

Women’s EHF Champions League records:
Participations (including 2014/15 season): 12
Winner (2): 2012/13, 2013/14
Finalist (2): 2008/09, 2011/12
Semi-finalist (4): 2006/07, 2007/08, 2009/10, 2010/11
Group Phase (2): 2000/01, 2005/06
Qualification (1): 2004/05

Other EC Records:

EHF Cup
Finalist: 1998/99, 2001/02, 2003/04, 2004/05

Cup Winners’ Cup
Finalist: 2005/06
Semi-finalist: 2002/03

Hungarian league: 11 titles (1957, 1959, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)
Hungarian cup: 10 titles (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)