2016 champions Bucharest to take on 2017 winners Györ at Women’s EHF FINAL4

2016 champions Bucharest to take on 2017 winners Györ at Women’s EHF FINAL4

The two most recent Women’s EHF Champions League winners will face each other in the semi-finals of the Women's EHF FINAL4 in Budapest’s Papp László Budapest Sportaréna on 12 May.

Romania’s CSM Bucuresti take on Hungary’s defending champions Györi Audi ETO KC in a repeat of the 2016 final, while event newcomers Rostov-Don will face HC Vardar, the only side to reach Budapest every year so far.

Györ’s Nora Mork, Vardar’s Andrea Penezic, Bucharest’s Amanda Kurtovic and Rostov’s Vladlena Bobrovnikova were on hand to assist EHF President Michael Wiederer with the draw in the Hungarian capital on Tuesday evening.

The semi-finals on Saturday as well as the final matches on Sunday will be played at 15:15 hrs and 18:00 hrs. The order of the semi-finals will be announced shortly.

Norway teammates Amanda Kurtovic and Nora Mork discussed their upcoming duel directly after the draw was made, with CSM's Kurtovic admitting: "We know it will be tough, it will be a fight from the first minute. We have a lot of preparing to do now."

Mork replied: "I think a lot of our players will be excited and our fans will make it like a home match for us, so I think it is going to be a good game. It will come down to who has the better game on the day."

Vladlena Bobrovnikova said of Rostov's semi-final encounter: "Vardar have a strong team, but so do we. This is our dream and why not win in our first FINAL4," while Vardar star Penezic said: "Rostov have quality players, the problem is we have not met them, so we do not know how we match with them. They will be hungry, but we are also hungry." 

2018 marks the fifth edition of the Women's EHF FINAL4. HC Vardar's second place in 2017 is their best result of their four attempts to date. Györ won the event in 2014 and 2017, but missed the 2015 tournament which was won by Buducnost. CSM Bucuresti topped the podium in 2016 following a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Györ.

Merchandise range available online

Following its launch at the draw, the official merchandise range for the Women's EHF FINAL4 is now available online. The range, produced by official EHF Champions League sports outfitter Salming, includes hoods, t-shirts and socks for men and women. All items can be purchased at http://merch.ehfcl.com.

Tickets still available

With the four participating teams confirmed, demand has massively increased over the past few days. However, tickets are still available and can be bought at www.ehfFINAL4.com.

Category I: 49.990 HUF (€165)
Category II: 34.990 HUF (€115)
Category III: 24.990 HUF (€80)
Category IV: 14.990 HUF (€50)