After an exciting game, Györ (Györ, Hungary) defeated HC Vardar (Skopje, Macedonia) in over time to claim the 2018 EHF Champions League. They become the first team to win the title 2 years in a row (in the new format). Györ has now 4 championships in this competition (2013, 2014, 2017, 2018) and become the 3rd club with most titles!
Győri Audi ETO KC 27 – 26 HC Vardar
Same team, same result: Györ win another impressive victory
Györ led for most of the first half. But at the break, Skopje had managed to come back (9-9). The Macedonian team then took control of the match but they never managed to get away on the scoring board. Andrea Lekic’s goal twenty seconds from time seemed to give Vardar the win. But Brazil’s Eduarda Amorim equalized immediately afterward, taking the two finalists into extra time. Györ was on the run, leading by three units (26-23). But again thanks to Lekic, Skopje has returned to one goal (27-26). HC Vardar had the chance to tied the game in the last moment but the Hungarian goalkeeper, Eva Kiss, had an amazing reflex to deny Skopje to tied the game.
This 2018 final was very similar to the one of last year. Same teams in final, a game that goes in the over-time and same winner by one goal: Györ. The tense 70-minute fight versus HC Vardar ends up with a fast-break save from Eva kiss in the money time. This epic finish sealed the victory for the Hungarian club!
“Proof that we are going in the right direction” EHF President Michael Wiederer is satisfied with the organization and the way things are going for Women’s handball in Europe. The attendance was about 12,000 people in László Papp Budapest Sports Arena, Budapest and the atmosphere was electric!
Full results of this weekend Final Four
Final Four ranking:
- Győri Audi ETO KC
- HC Vardar
- CSM București
- Rostov-Don
Final – Sunday, May 13, 2018
CSM București 27–26 HC Vardar
Final for the 3rd place – Sunday, May 13, 2018
CSM București 31–30 Rostov-Don
Semi-finals – Saturday, May 12, 2018
CSM București 20–26 Győri Audi ETO KC
Rostov-Don 19–25 HC Vardar
Final Four MVP and Dream Team of the competition
MVP
Amandine Leynaud (FRA) – Győri Audi ETO KC
Dream Team
Goalkeeper: Kari Aalvik Grimsbø (NOR/Györi Audi ETO KC)
Left wing: Siraba Dembele (FRA/Rostov-Don)
Left back: Cristina Neagu (ROU/CSM Bucuresti)
Centre back: Veronica Kristiansen (NOR/FC Midtjylland)
Line player: Dragana Cvijic (SRB/HC Vardar)
Right back: Ana Gros (SLO/Metz Handball)
Right-wing: Iuliia Managarova (RUS/Rostov-Don)
Defender: Zsuzsanna Tomori (HUN/Györi Audi ETO KC)
Young player: Tjasa Stanko (SLO/RK Krim Mercator)
Coach: Ambros Martin (ESP/Györi Audi ETO KC)
