The business end of the DELO EHF Champions League has arrived, with the DELO EHF FINAL4 set to take place in Budapest this weekend.

Reigning champions Győri Audi ETO KC are set to defend their trophy at Papp Laszlo Sportarena, with rookies CSKA and Brest Bretagne Handball as well as Norwegian powerhouse Vipers Kristiansand also challenging for their first-ever title.

Győr have undoubtedly been the team to watch in the past seasons, building an impressive unbeaten run of 55 games over the course of the last three years, with 48 wins and seven draws during that period.

Yet, their season has been far from perfect, with a costly 22:31 loss in the Hungarian league two weeks ago stopping Gabor Danyi’s tenure as a coach.

Dashing for a replacement, Győr relied on Ambros Martin, the Spanish mastermind who spearheaded four of their five titles in the European premium competition since 2013.

Martin, who was due to take command this summer, came early for his second stint at Győr, just before the throw-off in Budapest.

“There is not much time to change a lot, especially because they did a really good job in the last years, there is not much to change and it is working. We will try to be more consistent in these two games, both in defence and in attack,” said Martin, in an online press conference hosted by the Hungarian team.

To proceed to the final, Győr will face the challenge from Brest Bretagne Handball, who are making their first DELO EHF FINAL4 appearance.

The French side have been one of the teams to watch in the past two seasons, having never won against the Hungarian powerhouse, but drawing three times, including twice in the group phase this season.

Boasting the top goal scorer of the competition, Slovenian right back Ana Gros, who has scored 118 goals in 16 games, Brest find themselves at the zenith of the current iteration of the team, with Gros, playmaker Isabelle Gullden and coach Laurent Bezeau leaving the team at the end of the season.

The French side will be buoyed by winning their second-ever French league title last week. After conceding a 24:31 loss against rivals Metz Handball in the first leg, Brest bounced back with a 29:22 home win in the second leg, to seal the trophy, due to the away goals rule.

“I believe a lot in this team, in these players. Winning the French league gives us a lot of strength for the DELO EHF FINAL4,” said Ana Gros, according to Brest’s official website.

The other semi-final, which will also take place on Saturday (29 May), pits the Russian side from Moscow, CSKA, and Norwegian powerhouse Vipers Kristiansand.

CSKA have been on and off this season, but sealed a place in the DELO EHF FINAL4 after a nerve-wrecking 51:51 aggregate draw against CSM Bucuresti.

The Russian side suffered a coaching change mid-season, with former Russian back Olga Akopian taking charge from Jan Leslie. However, it was a move that paid dividends, after CSKA sealed their first-ever Russian title with a 56:52 aggregate win against rivals Rostov-Don.

Now, only Vipers Kristiansand stand between the last act of the competition and CSKA, as the Norwegian side are also eyeing their first DELO EHF FINAL4 final.

With right back Nora Mork and line player Heidi Loke back into the fold, Vipers are a difficult side to beat when they are at their best, but it will likely come down to the details. 

Fresh from winning the Norwegian league and the Norwegian Cup, Vipers will be motivated, especially after downing another Russian side, Rostov-Don, in the quarter-finals.

“It is incredibly rewarding to reach the DELO EHF FINAL4. It is especially rewarding as we have played 13 of 15 away games. But now it is all about the next goal, namely to reach the final,” said Ole Gustav Gjekstad, Vipers’ coach, according to the club’s official website.

The two semi-finals will take place in Budapest on 29 May, while the final and the 3/4 placement match are scheduled for 30 May.

For more information, visit the DELO EHF Champions League website.

Photos (clockwise): Peter Szalmas/Győri Audi ETO KC, Olivier Stephan, CSKA Moscow, Terje Refsnes