FTC are always aiming high and they proved their ambition again with strong signings over the summer, which further strengthened the team's core. Valeriia Maslova, a young but already seasoned player who is in her seventh EHF Champions League season, is one of them.
Having arrived in Budapest after scoring 101 goals for Brest Bretagne Handball in France last season, Maslova is eager to show her skills and help her side progress to the knockout phase after she had a good adaption period in Hungary.
“It is always a challenge to change the country, to change the team. You need the time to adapt and to find your place in the team. But it's been a pleasure, you know, to be here from the summer,” Maslova says.
FTC have thrown off their EHF Champions League campaign with four convincing wins in a row, with their four-goal victory over CS Gloria 2018 BN (32:28) in last week’s round 4 only marking the smallest winning margin so far.
Starting the season strong has given the 2023 runners-up additional confidence. However, the team's performance has not been without its ups and downs.
“I think it is very nice that we have victories from the beginning of the season. I would always say that we still don’t play our best handball but, so far, we are winning. And I want to keep up that way for the whole season. There is always space to grow and we try to improve, but it will take time,” Maslova says.
“The preparations were pretty short because the girls who played at the Olympics came late and they also needed a rest. So, I would say we didn't have that much time to set up the things but we are working on it. On top of that, there are no easy opponents in the Champions League, everyone is able to challenge you.”
I think it is very nice that we have victories from the beginning of the season. I would always say that we still don’t play our best handball but, so far, we are winning. And I want to keep up that way for the whole season.
