Gabriella Szucs is the captain of Hungarian Champions UVSE.
Szucs is one of the most decorated Hungarian players of the last two decades. Beginning her career with Dunaujvaros, she left for Spain and enjoyed two incredibly successful spells with Sabadell, winning the Division de Honor four times, the Euro League three times, three Spanish Cups, and three Super Cups.
The 2009 Hungarian player of the year joined UVSE upon her return to Hungary, where she has won seven consecutive national championships.
The crowning achievements of Szucs’ international career were a gold medal at the 2016 European Championships and a bronze medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
Gabriella Szuc’s Top 5 of 2022
1. Rita Keszthelyi (HUN)
Hungary National Team Player/Club: Mataro /Position: Driver
Her greatness is unquestionable, she is always the leader of her teams - both in the club and the national team - not only as a player but as a person. In the last season in the Euro League semi final she scored 9 goals against the final winner Olympiacos, in this season she was the MVP of the Spanish Super Cup! No need for more words. During the World Championships she had a key role winning a silver medal for Hungary and this role missed so much in Split.
2. Eleftheria Plevritou (GRE)
Greece National Team Player/Club: Olympiacos / Position: Wing
She had an excellent season with Olympiacos and playing in the final in Split was also a big step for her and the Greek national team. Her character in and out of the water defines her team’s character, that’s why it wasn’t a coincidence that she was named the MVP of the EC.
3. Paula Leiton (ESP)
Spain National Team Player/Club: Sabadell/ Position: Centre-forward
She is one of the best centre forward in the world and she shows it in every tournament. She has a central role not because of her position, but because she can play in a very high level in defence as well. She has a good physique and a very good technique which is a pretty good combination.
4. Maddie Musselman (USA)
United States National Team Player/Club: UCLA / Position: Wing
Although she was the MVP of the women’s water polo tournament of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, for me, this year was when she became a real leader of the US team. You can say it’s easy among many newcomers, but if Maggie Steffens or Rachel Fattal are also on the team, it’s not obvious. Maddie played very mature water polo; she knew exactly when she had to step back and play up to the others and when it was her time.
