Győr Audi ETO KC got off to a great start to the bronze medal match against Esbjerg in the Champions League and led by nine goals early in the second half, but the advantage faded in the final ten minutes and they fought hard to win 28-27 in Ambrose Martin’s last game in Győr.
Viktória Győri-Lukács: I’m not upset, I’m very happy that we’ll take something home this year too
“In the beginning, we were very focused on defending, we managed to hold them back and we didn’t concede an easy goal. In the second half, they scored more easily, and that’s why they were able to advance.” – said Viktória Győri-Lukács after the match.
The right winger of the Hungarian national team said that they talked a lot with the team after the semi-final loss and came to the conclusion that the four best teams in Europe are in the quarter-finals.
“A lot of handball players can’t even get into this event, but here we are, we’re going home again this year, so I’m still very happy.” He said.
Ambrose Martin led Győr in his last match, in the future he will be the captain of the Spanish women’s national team.
“It was Ambrose’s last game for the team, but he said it might also be his last in the Champions League as well. Our fans were amazing both days, they were with us all the way and supported us, whether we were up or down, and thank you very much for that.” Gyuri Lukas said.
He said about the bronze match, Esbjerg was chasing the score all the way, which is a little more stressful than playing handball with an advantage. “This is how we managed to get the medal.”.
“I’m not upset, I’m just so glad we’re bringing something home again this year.” added the 27-year-old right winger.
Martin’s era ended with a bronze medal: they enjoyed nine goals, crushing Gyoer Esbjerg in the final.
Audi-Eto’o KC of Gyor finished third in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Women’s Handball Champions League in Budapest, after defeating Danish team Esbjerg 28-27 in the bronze match on Sunday.
Ambrose Martin expressed his disappointment at the press conference that he did not manage to win a gold medal, but at the same time he is happy that they finished third in their last match in Gyor.
“It means a lot to us now, as we had a very difficult evening after yesterday’s defeat. We came for the gold this weekend.” – Martin began his assessment at the press conference, which emphasized: after the semi-final defeat suffered by the Vipers, they wanted to win third place against another strong opponent.
“I am not happy with the bronze, and I am sure that my team and our fans are not happy with it either. I regret not being able to bring gold to the club, our players and our fans. At the same time, we can say that we finished the season with a victory, as well as the second stage of my coaching career in Győr.” – said the 55-year-old Spanish coach, who previously managed ETO between 2012 and 2018, and then from 2021 until now. This was his last meeting with the team with which he won the championship four times, the championship seven times, and the Hungarian Cup six times.
“Now I will step back a little, I will follow you, but not closely, only through TV and I will try to learn as much as possible about women’s handball from home. – Martin looked forward, assuring that next year the team will have a new opportunity to achieve success in the Champions League.
For the second time since 2021, the five-time winning team from Little Holland has finished bottom of the podium in the BL.
Cover Photo:
The members of the bronze medal Hungarian team played at the end of the Győri Audi ETO KC – Esbjerg team at the MVM Dome in Budapest on June 4, 2023, as the bronze medal match in the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final. Győr finished third after defeating the Danish team 28-27. MTI/Tibor Ellis
