On Sunday, the European Handball Federation (EHF) Champions League’s final four took place at the MVM Dome in Budapest, with huge success and full house. In the final, Hungarian team Ferencváros lost 28-24 to defending champions Vipers Kristiansand from Norway. In addition, the third place in the prestigious tournament was won by a Hungarian team as well, Győri Audi ETO KC.
After the Final Four, President Katalin Novák congratulated the Hungarian teams on her Facebook page: “2/3 Hungarian success in the Women’s Handball Champions League. Two out of three medals were won by Hungarian handball girls: silver medal for Fradi, bronze medal for ETO. Well done, girls! We are proud of you!”
Ferencváros has reached the final of the most prestigious European Cup for the third time after 1971 and 2002, but has yet to triumph. In the ninth match between the two teams, the Vipers won for the fifth time, with three wins and a draw for Ferencváros.
As part of Sunday’s Final Four, Győri Audi ETO KC, also from Hungary, played Denmark’s Team Esbjerg in the afternoon. In the end, the Hungarian team won the match 28-27 and became the bronze medal winner of the tournament.
Gyõri Audi ETO KC after winning third place at the EHF Champions League. Photo: MTI/Illyés Tibor
After the final, Gábor Elek, head coach of the Ferencváros women’s handball team, said he would only be able to celebrate the silver medal in a few days’ time. “The Vipers deserved to win based on today’s game and their performance throughout the year. They are an extremely good team, with an extraordinary structure and very fast handball,” said the coach. He added that if someone had told him they would be here in the last four and even make the final, he would probably have laughed at them except for the last two months.
A full house was waiting for the players in Budapest’s MVM Dome. Photo: MTI/Illyés Tibor
“Thanks to our fans for enduring this roller coaster, on the one hand, and on the other hand, for coming here for us and creating such an atmosphere. I’ll say it has been an okay year, but I cannot be happy now,” explained Elek, whose last game as Ferencváros head coach was this year.
Featured photo via MTI/Illyés Tibor