On May 11 and 12 in Budapest, Hungary, current Women’s EHF Champions League title holders Györi Audi ETO KC will aim to claim the trophy for the third year in a row – but they will face tough competition at the high-pressure event that is the DELO WOMEN’S EHF FINAL4.

Four teams from four nations have reached the final weekend, which will see the semi-finals played on Saturday and the finals on Sunday. It will be a case of debutants versus experience, as first-time FINAL4 participants Vipers Kristiansand from Norway take on Györ in the opening semi-final in Papp Laszlo Arena, before French club Metz Handball play their maiden FINAL4 match against Russian side Rostov-Don.

Rostov-Don reached the FINAL4 for the first time last season, so do not bring much more experience than Vipers or Metz – but they are led by the coach who has won the Champions League title four times in the last six season: Ambros Martin. In what is his first season with the Russian club after leaving his previous post at Györ, Martin has guided Rostov through a strong year and the team are confident of beating their personal record from 2018, when they ranked fourth after losing both FINAL4 matches.

“The team hasn’t changed a lot, but now we have more experience. Besides, we have a new coach: Ambros Martin,” 2016 Olympic Games and EHF EURO 2018 MVP, Rostov’s Anna Vyakhireva, told the official website of the Champions League, ehfcl.com.“Ambros is our motor. He gives us motivation and confidence. His experience is huge, and I think it’s a factor that gives us a big chance to win the title.”

Rostov have been defeated by their semi-final opponents, Metz, twice during the regular season, which could seem a negative omen – but history has shown that anything can happen on the FINAL4 court. Györ also beat Vipers twice in the season, and the Norwegian team are certainly facing a formidable challenge in the form of the back-to-back defending champions.

Aside from the top-level handball on display, the FINAL4 is an exciting occasion featuring performances and other fringe events. One such event is the Junior FINAL4, which is being held for the third year. Under 19 national teams from Hungary, Russia, Montenegro and Slovenia will contest the Junior FINAL4, beginning with the semi-finals on Friday, followed by the final on Saturday evening at 20:30 local time in Budapest – right after the semi-final between Metz and Rostov.

Prior to the first semi-final, fans will be treated to a live performance from American singer-songwriter Anastacia.

“The event in Budapest has developed enormously over the years. The growing media interest and the new approach in the production setup prove this. We are ready, together with our partners, to deliver not only an unforgettable DELO WOMEN’S EHF FINAL4 to the spectators in the arena, but also to all fans watching the matches on TV,” said Managing Director of EHF Marketing GmbH David Szlezak.

Both semi-finals will be streamed live on both ehfTV.com and the Olympic Channel, while 23 TV stations will broadcast the event to more than 60 territories – setting a new broadcast record for the WOMEN’S EHF FINAL4.

More information on the DELO WOMEN’S EHF FINAL4 can be found on the official website.

Photo: Marcel Lämmerhirt/EHF