Two teams on the top of the Hungarian League table faced each other on 2nd May in Audi Aréna Győr in the 20th round, which was considered as a final of the championship. In contrast with the expectations the title has not been given out, so we are going to watch some very exciting games where each goals count…
Final result: 26-24
Ceremonial moment has been taken place before the match, the starting throw has been thrown by the Honorary Life President, Vanyus Attila and he has been said happy birthday by the recent President of Győri Audi ETO KC, dr. Bartha Csaba.
1st half
Győr started the match with the combination of Puhalák, Amorim, Görbicz, Broch, Groot, Bódi and Grimsbö.
The first goal of the game has been scored by Schatzl from the side of the guest team, Görbicz made it to draw thank to a successful 7m penalty. It was a close fight during the whole match and the result was draw for a long time until the 23rd minute of the first half where five consecutive goals scored by FTC resulted in 4-goals lead in favour of the guests. For the halftime break the home team succeeded in reducing the difference to three, so the teams have left the court with the halftime result of 12-15.
Halftime result: 12-15
2nd half
Oftedal started the goal-scoring at the beginning of the second half, after that Hornyák came on with a double. Broch, Pena, Oftedal, Groot and Hansen kept on scoring goals, so the difference was only 1 goal by the 41st minute of the game. Gábor Elek called for a team timeout, but it couldn’t disturb Grimbsö, who has defended a 7m penalty. Eight minutes before the end of the match 23-24 was seen ont he scoreboard, when the home team was able to turn the match and three goals in a row has been scored by them in order to correct the result to two goals victory. However, it doesn’t mean the end of the championship, because FTC made it to two goals victory at home too against Ambros Martín’s team, so the number of scored goals – in case of winning each matches of both teams – during the remaining matches will decide about the winner of the Hungarian League.
Final result: 26-24
Official attendance: 5307
Gábor Elek: „We fighted a brutal battle today, so the only thing I can say to our opponent is, congratulations! There was a fantastic atmoshpere in the arena, and I am proud of my team, because my players were able to stay close to the title-defender and we played well. I hop, it was not our last game against each other with Ambros Martín! I wish good luck to ETO for the FINAL4!”
Anikó Kovacsics: „Congratulations to Győr, but I am also proud of my team and of our attitude we showed, I think, we did everything we could in order to win, but now it’s time to stay excited. This is sport – each goal will count from now! Good luck to ETO in the FINAL4!”
Ambros Martín: „I agree with the opinions we heard so far. There were two different halves from our side – we started playing good, we concentrated, but by the end of the first 30 minutes we had to face some difficulties. It was really hard to play against Ferencváros, when they owned the lead, we had to play and stay calm, but it’s good that we could keep the game under control then. I am happy because my players were able to do what I asked for them. We have to concentrate now not just on the Hungarian League, but also on the matches of the FINAL4 at the upcoming weekend. I am sure, that we are ready to reach our goals.”
Yvette Broch: „It was a big fight against Ferencváros, it was amazing to play at home in front of our spectators. We had some difficulties in defence, but it became better for the second half, and as Ambros said, we kept on fighting and believing until the las moment.”
