EHF Champions League
Sandra Toft saves Györ's day against Brest Bretagne
Team Esbjerg was the only home side on Sunday to celebrate in Round 1 of the EHF Champions League Women, leaving Rapid Bucuresti disappointed. Sandra Toft's last-second save secured Györi Audi ETO KC's narrow win against Brest Bretagne Handball in France. SG BBM Bietigheim imposed their rhythm in the second half, getting their hands on a 27:22 win against the Montenegrin side.
It is not easy to win in Podgorica and that is why we are very happy. We knew it would be difficult, but we made a turnaround at the end of the first half and kept the lead until the end.
We played well for the first 25 minutes while we had the strength, after that there was a slump, which the opponent punished. Many players have not been in the training process for a long time, so I expected problems in the attack. In the second half, we allowed them to take a four-goal advantage and that was an unattainable difference.
I am very happy to get two points. I must admit that Brest played well. I think the key moment was which team had more control in the last three or four minutes. Fortunately, it worked out in our favour.
We are disappointed. We cannot be satisfied with a defeat. We are aware of the level of the opponent, but we are ambitious. When we enter the court, we want to win. I think we showed a beautiful face and qualities, solidarity, a community. I think this is the right path and we want to bounce back quickly.
We put in a lot of spirit and fight in the first half. Also in the second, but I must admit Rapid played a very strong game. I am very happy about the win today, because I think it was a strong team that we beat today.
I told the team in the half-time break that we had to continue because we played 25 good minutes. But Team Esbjerg are just a powerful team and have players who can decide the game by themselves. Today, believing was the most important thing, and I am proud of the team. We pushed them to the last second, and with a bit of luck it could have been closer.