Mataro are into their first Champions League Final with a deserved 12-9 victory over Dunaujvaros.
The Maresme were the better side throughout the game, and set up the first single-nation, and all-Spanish Champions League Final against Sabadell.
Dunaujvaros had no answer to Mataro’s attacking threat, with former UVSE centre, Vivian Sevenich, playing a key role in the victory, drawing plenty of exclusions, and converting three goals herself. Anni Espar, showing no signs of jetlag from her travels to Australia, was equally as ruthless, hitting the target three times.
For Ujvaros, their European fairytale comes to an end. They deserve an immense amount of credit for even reaching the final-4 as it it. They never gave up in the match today, but simply couldn’t hold off the attacking prowess at Dani Ballart’s disposal. Dunaujvaros can still return to Feher county with something to show for their efforts, as they meet Ekipe Orizzonte in the bronze medal match tomorrow.
With Sabadell defeating Ekipe Orizzonte earlier this afternoon, it confirms the first ever final with two teams from the same country. The all-Spanish final promises to be a classic.
CN Mataro 12 – 9 Dunaujvaros (3-1, 4-3, 3-2, 2-3)
Mataro: E. Sanchez, S. Morell 1, S. Van de Kraats, A. Gual, V. Sevenich 3, R. Keszthelyi 1, C. Cambray, C. Nogue, S. Avegno, Q. Bertran, A. Espar 3, M. Claveria, E. Carmona Herrera
Dunaujvaros: L. Maczko, C. Jonkl, N. Sajben, L. Dorina Dobi 1, B. Horvath 1, G. Mahieu, N. Szabo 1, K. Garda 2, D. Kardos, L. Somogyvari, R. Pal, N. Sumegi, L. Aarts
In the first quarter of the game between Dunaujvaros and Mataro, the Hungarian team took an early lead with a man-up goal by Krisztina Garda. However, Mataro quickly equalized with a 6 on 5 goal from Vivian Sevenich. Mataro then took the lead with two quick goals from Rita Keszthelyi and Anni Espar. The hard work and determination of the Mataro team were evident as they fought their way into the ascendency.
The Marsemse, spurred on by a decent travelling support, then added two early scores in the second period that really gave the Spanish side the advantage. Sevenich, who was on fire, lashed home a powerful, precise backshot, before Anni Espar, in typically classy fashion, ploughed the ball past Laura Aarts (5-1).
Mataro progress to their first Champions League Final.
Photo: RFEN
Ujvaros did well to grab the next two scores, with Garda grabbing her second, and Lili Dobi’s shot proving too powerful for Elena Sanchez in the Mataro goal. Dunaujvaros, however, couldn’t sure up their defence, and Silvia Morell’s perfect lob, before Sevenich’s hat-trick strike on the post (extra-player), extended Mataro’s lead to three goals at half-time (7-4).
The second half saw little change in momentum as Mataro continued to dominate the match. Although Nikoleta Szabo scored a goal for Dunaujvaros, Mataro quickly increased their lead with Anni Espar scoring an easy shot, Rita Keszthelyi converting a penalty from the 5m line, and Silvia Avegno making her impact felt with another goal to bring Mataro’s lead to 10-5. Brigitta Horvath scored a late goal for Dunaujvaros, but trailing by four going into the final quarter, the Hungarian team’s chances of making the final were looking slim.
Photo: LEN/Istvan Derencseyni
In the final section of the game, Attila Mihok’s Dunaujvaros team showed some signs of life, with Brigitta Horvath posing a threat on the right-hand side and Lili Dobi executing a well-placed lob. However, Dunaujvaros struggled to keep Mataro from scoring, with Simone Van de Kraats finding the back of the net from the right and Clara Cambray slotting home from the left, extending Mataro’s lead to 12-8. Horvath managed to score her fourth goal in the last minute, but it was not enough to secure a place in the Champions League final for Dunaujvaros, as Mataro had thoroughly earned their spot.
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