Since the “Final Four” format proved so successful in the Men’s Handball Champions League, the women’s competition also adopted this format in Europe’s most prestigious cup series starting in 2014. Twelve years have passed since then, but despite the change in venue, interest in the event held in Hungary remains enormous. Several factors have contributed to this, including the tremendous successes of Hungarian clubs and players.
The chemistry is still there
For the men’s competition, the format was changed in the 2009–2010 season, and the playoffs were followed by a Final Four. The event found a home in Germany, and Cologne has hosted it ever since. A fixed venue that fans have grown accustomed to and know well, it also represents a reliable partner for the European Handball Federation (EHF). It should be added that, at the club level, Germany is considered one of the most important markets for men’s handball.
At the time, the goal was to establish a similar model for women’s handball, and ultimately, after the first round of bidding, Budapest was awarded the hosting rights. One of the main reasons for the decision was that the Hungarian bid was extremely convincing, and of course the successes of Hungarian women’s clubs, as well as the fan base behind them, also played a major role in the decision. Starting in 2014, the top four teams have visited the Hungarian capital every season.
Of course, the fact that Győri Audi ETO KC had just reached the level where it was ready to claim the European throne played a major role in the fans’ keen interest. They won the Champions League for the first time in the season preceding the first Final4 in Budapest, and by 2014 they had successfully defended their title at the first EHF Final4. Although Hungarian fans didn’t always have a team to root for after that, ETO made it to the Final4 ten more times through 2026 and triumphed five more times. But Hungarians didn’t just have Győr to cheer for, as Ferencváros also made it to the final in 2023, though they ultimately had to settle for the silver medal.
It is no coincidence that the EHF is satisfied
Under the current agreement, the top teams in the Women’s Handball Champions League are guaranteed to return here through 2027. For years, the Papp László Sports Hall hosted the event, ensuring an excellent standard; however, since 2022, the MVM Dome has taken over. The organizers made the right decision, as when the Final4 were held here for the second time, the world record for attendance at a women’s club-level handball match was broken with exactly 20,022 spectators.
“For fans, the EHF FINAL4 has become an unmissable event—almost a must-see in the world of women’s team sports.” For the players, the FINAL4 has been the goal to strive for right from the start of the season. “Year after year, Budapest proves that the event offers fantastic matches and experiences for everyone” — the official website of the MVM Dome previously quoted EHF President Michael Wiederer as saying. In the end, he was right again, as the 2026 event also delivered exciting matches, and the venue was once again sold out, setting a new record with 20,022 spectators.
Győr could have won its third consecutive trophy, but Metz proved to be the better team in the final
At the end of the 2025–2026 season, two French, one Romanian, and one Hungarian team had advanced to the final four. In the semifinals, Győri Audi ETO KC defeated Brest 31–30, while in the other bracket, Metz—which features two Hungarian players—beat CSM Bucuresti 32–27. In the battle for the bronze medal, the latter team was six goals better and made it to the podium, while the fight for the trophy proved to be interesting in many ways.
Metz had never won the Champions League before and had never even reached the final. This time, however, they rose to the occasion, with Anna Albek and Petra Vámos on the roster.
The spectators at the MVM Dome could therefore be certain of a Hungarian victory, but it mattered whether our two stars would achieve this and make history with their team, or whether the Győr squad would add to its trophy collection. ETO had been undefeated in the finals for the past two years, so a potential victory would have marked the second time they could have become Champions League winners three times in a row. And that’s not all, as the last time they managed to win the hungarian domestic league, the hungarian cup, and the Champions League trophy in a single season was during the 2018–2019 campaign, and they had a chance to do so again this year.
Winning any of them is no easy feat in and of itself, and a distinctive feature of the Final Four is that the semifinals and the final are held on two consecutive days, meaning there is barely any time to recover. A team’s strength is therefore well demonstrated if they are still able to win the Champions League multiple times in a row, a feat that, since the introduction of the Final4 format, only the Norwegian Vipers Kristiansand has been able to achieve alongside ETO. However, Metz prevented another three-peat by committing fewer turnovers, and their defense improved significantly in the second half.
Check out the new sports arena in Tatabánya! – Photo gallery
This was crucial, even though their shooting efficiency lagged behind their opponent’s. At the same time, ETO fell significantly behind at one point in the match, allowing the French team to build a six-goal lead. Although Győr’s eight-minute scoring drought came to an end and the seven-time champions put on a tremendous late surge, it was not enough; Metz ultimately won 31–29 and claimed the Champions League trophy.
An old friendship led to a Champions League victory
The strength of Hungarian women’s handball is clearly demonstrated by the fact that two Hungarians played key roles on the first French team to win the Champions League. These two handball players, who are bound by a long-standing friendship and know each other very well, couldn’t emphasize this enough to the press after their victory. “I can’t put into words how happy it makes me that Petra and I experienced this success together. We’ve known each other for a very long time—more than ten years—and to have walked this path together and lived out our dreams is an indescribable feeling” – M4 Sport quoted Anna Albek as saying.“I love this girl: her arrival in Metz has helped me so much this season. In these two matches, she showed that she is capable of playing at this level and that she belongs here. We met as children at a camp in Alsóörs, and our friendship has been unbroken ever since. Being able to experience this together is very special; I am very grateful to her because she made this year wonderful,” — added Petra Vámos.
Hungary’s biggest sports hall inaugurated in Budapest! – PHOTOS
Tamás Szikora
