What a year for Hungarian handball! Pick Szeged is the second team from Hungary to win a continental trophy this season (after Audi ETO Gyor won the MVM EHF FINAL4). Juan Carlos Pastor, who masterminded the victory with his Szeged team, is the second Spanish coach to do it- and it is no coincidence that he celebrated his 46th birthday on the day of the final.
Two debutants in the EHF Cup finals show a sign of thing to come, after Szeged won their first continental trophy following a tight-affair in Berlin- 29:28 (16:14).
It was only Thierry Omeyer keeping Montpellier Agglomeration HB within a chance before the half-time break (16:14). The match was married by technical errors on both sides, mid-way through the second half with the result 21:18, which allowed MAHB to stay in the game.
The last six minutes of the match were crowned by anticipation and worry, as Montpellier Agglomeration HB melted down Pick Szeged lead to just one goal (25:24), earning a tie at 25:25, following a save from Thierry Omeyer.
The nerve-racking finish saw Montpellier Agglomeration HB within a chance of taking a game into overtime, but the penalty awarded to Szeged with the result 28:27 (29:27 after Larholm scored), ten seconds remaining in the match, sealed the faith for the French team. The goal from a competition top scorer Dragan Gajić in the final seconds was no more than a consolation for brave Montpellier, as Szeged lift the EHF Cup trophy for the first time in their history- 29:28.
There was no symbolism lacking in this final, as Montpellier Agglomeration HB goalkeeper Thierry Omeyer was determined as ever to win his only missing trophy. MAHB players were ever so determined to be victorious as the once crowned French champions were without the service of injured William Accambray in the final. Dragan Gajić was up to the task as well, as the competition’s top scorer (72 goals overall- 19 at the final weekend in Berlin) showed no mercy with 10 goals scored in the final. Despite a big effort from MAHB, it was Roland Mikler- a Pick Szeged legend who was decisive in preventing MAHB in catching up to the Szeged lead. MIkler, the best goalkeeper of the competition had played his heart out on his last game for the club, as the 30-year old had already agreed a move to Veszprem, and will be delighted to say goodbye to the club and it’s fans with a trophy.
Slovenian winger, Dragan Gajić was announced the best scorer of the competition with 72, followed by Alexandru Simicu from the Romanian side HCM Costanta with 66. Roland Mikler was the best goalkeeper, with 30% saves in the final. In the end, it was Iker Romero from Füchse Berlin, who received the biggest applause from the home crowd, as the 34-year old left back says goodbye to handball being the MVP of the competition.
Post-match conference quotes:
Juan Carlos Pastor (Pick Szeged) coach:
On his feelings after match:
“I am thankful to my players for the whole year of hard work, and believing we can do this”
On his opponent:
“I want to congratulate Montpellier for the great effort put in- they were a very good opponent.
On his team:
“Many of our players were tired having played two matches in only two days, but regardless of some problems with the counter-attacks, we had energy until the finish”
On the future:
“We are one big family in Szeged, and we will work even harder after this”
Patrice Canayer (Montpellier Agglomeration HB) coach:
On the competition:
“I wish to say my congratulations to Szeged for the win, and thank you to everyone in Berlin for organizing this
“It was pleasure playing here, and hope we can come back with more experience now”
On his team’s performance:
“We didn’t play our fast breaks well enough.
“ I believe we have played well until the end, but that wasn’t enough
On the future for MAHB:
“We are a new, young team. We lack experience in big games, and that is something that only comes with time
“You have to win to get experience, but sometimes you have to loose to learn as well”
Atilla Vadkerti (Pick Szeged) left wing:
On his feelings after the final win:
“It was a great feeling to play here.
“I am not prepared to talk about the match as I feel I’m in another place right now.
“I am very happy to be able to win this for our coach, who celebrates his birthday today- it’s the best present, and much cheeper than a bottle of wine”
TEXT: NEMANJA SAVIC
