Eger secured the Hungarian Championship title for the first time in a decade, triumphing over Dunaujvaros with a 10-7 victory in the second leg of the play-off finals.
You’ll be hard pushed to find a more unlikely national champion across the whole continent in the ten years since they were last at the summit of Hungarian women’s water polo. Their remarkable journey serves as a testament to the unpredictable nature of play-off water polo, where any team can rise to become champions.
Rebecca Parkes, widely regarded as the premier center-forward in women’s water polo, showcased her unstoppable prowess with three goals in a standout performance. Credit must also be given to Eger’s Dora Czigany and Borbala Kekesi, who both made significant contributions during the play-offs, combining for five goals in this decisive match.
For Dunaujvaros, it is a disappointing end to the season. Narrowly falling short in the first match left them with an uphill battle in the second leg. DFVE will undoubtedly rue missed opportunities, considering their impressive journey to the championship finals and the Champions League Final-4, achievements that exceeded expectations under Attila Mihok’s leadership.
2022/23 Hungarian Women’s League, play-offs, Final
ZF Eger 10 – 7 Dunaujvaros (4-1, 3-2, 1-4, 2-0)
Eger: A. Kiss, P. Jancso, E. Weston, R. Parkes 3, D. Molnar, Z. Katona, R. Parkanyi, D. Czigany 2, B. Kekesi 3, F. Bodi, C. Szellak, D. Szilagyi 2, S. Szilagyi, M. Dulic
Dunaujvaros: L. Maczko, C. Jonkl 1, N. Sajben, L. Dobi Dorina 2, B. Horvath 1, G. Mahieu, N. Szabo, K. Garda 2, D. Kardos, L. Somogyvari, R. Pal, N. Sumegi 1, L. Kardos, L. Aarts.
On the night of their crowning as Hungarian Champions, Eger delivered a memorable performance, asserting their dominance throughout the first half and comfortably securing the win.
Goals from Rebecca Parkes, Dora Czigany, and Borbala Kekesi propelled Eger to a commanding 6-1 lead in the first half. Alexandra Kiss, who elevated her game in these finals, played a crucial role in limiting Dunaujvaros to a solitary goal before halftime.
Dunaujvaros displayed commendable resilience, mounting a spirited comeback to narrow the deficit to 8-7 in the third quarter. However, it was fitting that Eger’s two world-class acquisitions in the summer, Dorottya Szilagyi and Rebecca Parkes, proved instrumental when it mattered most. Both players found the back of the net in the final eight minutes, ultimately returning the championship title to the Bitskey.
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