After eight years, a new champion will be crowned in the Hungarian women’s league this season.
The reigning champions UVSE were well defeated by Dunaujvaros once more this afternoon (10-8), with Attila Mihok’s gritty underdogs winning the all-important second game in the play-off series.
Despite Ujpest’s Euro Cup Final heroics earlier this term, UVSE’s inconsistent form this season was exposed by the gritty underdogs of Dunaujvaros at the worst possible time. The defeat will hurt for Ujpest, but even they know that they have not really played anywhere near their full potential this season.
Dunaujvaros have played in the last five play-off finals, falling to the team that they defeated today on all five occasions. With UVSE out of the way, could it finally be their year?
Meanwhile, it’s all square in the second semi-final between Eger and FTC Telekom. While Ferencvaros took the win in the first semi-final meet, Eger pulled level yesterday with an intensely-fought 9-8 win in the sunshine. The next chapter of the semi-final play-offs between Eger and FTC returns to Budapest on Wednesday 10th May.
2022/23 Hungarian Women’s League, playoffs, semi-final
Dunaujvaros 10 – 8 UVSE (2-2, 3-2, 2-3, 3-1)
Dunaujvaros: L. Maczko, C. Jonkl, N. Sajben, L. Dobi Dorina 6, B. Horvath 1, G. Mahieu, K. Garda 2, A. Mandula, L. Somogyvari, R. Pal. N. Sumegi 1, D. Kardos, L. Aarts
UVSE: A. Magyari, T. Aubeli, E. Macsai 2, E. Varro, G. Szucs, N. Golopencza, V. Baska 1, K. Farago, N. Rybanska 1, R. Irmes, K. Peresztegi-Nagy 1, K. Hajdu 3, E. Karparti
ZF Eger 9 – 8 FTC Telekom (3-4, 2-2, 3-2, 1-0)
Eger: A. Kiss, P. Jancso 1, I. Borsi, R. Parkes 1, D. Molnar 1, Z. Katona, E. Weston, D. Czigany 3, B. Kekesi, F. Bodi, C. Szellak, D. Szilagyi 3, S. Szilagyi, M. Dulic
FTC: B. Neszmely, B. Vosseberg, Z. Mate 2, G. Gurisatti 4, P. Pocze, T. Farkas 1, D. Leimeter, A. Illes, S. Kuna, P. Petik, D. Toth-Csabai 1, D. Domsodi, E. Millot, L. Greso
All the pressure was on the reigning Hungarian champions as they arrived in Dunaujvaros today after falling in the first leg at Alfred Hajos. To retain their crown, there was simply no margin for error in this game.
Despite a promising start from UVSE, Dunaujvaros refused to let them take control of the game. As the match hung in the balance, it all came down to the finest of margins. Ultimately, it was Dunaujvaros’ incredible spirit that dealt their biggest rivals a crushing defeat.
The star of the day for Dunaujvaros was Lili Dobi Dorina, whose outstanding performance in front of goal saw her score a double hat-trick. Her incredible contribution gave her team a much-needed boost in the second half, but it was the collective effort of the Champions League semi-finalists that secured their spot in the grand final.
UVSE looked poised to take the lead heading into the final quarter, but a critical score from Brigitta Horvath on the right side levelled the playing field. From there, two quick goals from Dobi Dorina, followed by a captain’s score from Krisztina Garda, delivered a fatal blow to Marton Benczur’s young team.
Full credit has to go the Attila Mihok and his Dunaujvaros team. Once again, they have proved why they are one of Europes best on the women’s side. Who would bet against them winning their first league title since 2011?
Rebecca Parkes of Eger under pressure from Dora Toth-Csabai. Photo: Egri Vizilabda.
Who Dunaujvaros will face in the final is yet to be determined, after a jubilant win for Eger yesterday.
It was a do-or-die situation for Eger as they faced off against FTC Telekom in the second leg of their semi-final clash. With their title dreams hanging in the balance, Eger knew they had to produce a special performance to keep their hopes alive. While they may have been left wanting in the first leg at Nepliget, the hosts proved their mettle in front of a passionate crowd at their Barany outdoor pool, securing a deserved 9-8 win.
Leading the charge for Eger were Dora Czigany and Dorottya Szilagyi, who each notched up impressive hat-tricks, taking their team one step closer to glory. Czigany got the ball rolling for the hosts, scoring two goals in the first period. However, it was Fradi’s Greta Gurisatti who stole the show in the opening minutes, registering an impressive four goals to give FTC a 4-3 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Despite a strong comeback in the second period, Eger found themselves trailing by a goal at the halfway mark, with the scoreline reading 6-5 in favour of the visitors. The third period saw Eger come out all guns blazing, scoring the first two goals of the quarter and levelling the score at 8-8 by the end of it. It was Dorottya Szilagyi who proved to be the difference-maker, scoring two crucial goals to shift the wind back behind the home side.
With everything on the line, it was a tense affair in the final quarter, with just a single goal separating the two sides. In the end, it was Rebecca Parkes who stepped up for Eger, scoring the decisive goal three minutes into the quarter, levelling up the play-off series at 1-1.
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