WEEKEND MAY 31 - JUNE 1: MVM DOME TRANSFORMS INTO ARENA OF LEGENDS!

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May 31 - June 1, 2025

EHF FINAL4 Women MVM Dome Budapest

This will be the hottest weekend in European women's handball! Budapest will transform into the center of the handball universe when the four best clubs in Europe compete for the most valuable trophy in continental handball. Győri Audi ETO KC aims for a historic seventh title, Team Esbjerg tries to break the semifinal curse for the fourth time in a row, while Metz Handball and Odense Håndbold want to surprise. MVM Dome will witness handball history.

Győri Audi ETO KC is simply on a different level. Nine times in a row in FINAL4, ten times overall - that's not coincidence, that's proof of absolute dominance in European handball. The Hungarian machine won a record six titles between 2013-2024, including an incredible hat-trick from 2017-2019. Only Vipers Kristiansand managed a similar feat between 2021-2023.

This season was almost perfect - 14 wins, one draw, one loss. And that single loss was ironically against Odense Håndbold, one of their weekend opponents, with a result of 28:35 in the middle of the group phase. Since then, eight wins in a row, including victories over Odense in the rematch and over Team Esbjerg.

The secret to success is the best defense in the competition. Győr conceded the fewest goals, forced opponents into the most errors, and allowed them the lowest shooting percentage. When you have such a defense, the attack plays completely differently. In attack, Bruna de Paula shines with 57 goals and Dione Housheer with perfect performances from the right back position.

Bruna de Paula is simply a phenomenon. The Brazilian back is experiencing her fourth season in the Champions League and is already shining for the second year in Győr's jersey after transferring from Metz Handball - possibly her weekend opponent. In 2021, she won the inaugural European League with Nantes and was named MVP. Now she's aiming for another title with the Hungarian machine.

"Of course we think about it, but the club has been in FINAL4 so many times that we all know how difficult it will be. All teams are strong, so we know we need a perfect match to win the trophy," says de Paula before the semifinal clash with Team Esbjerg.

Her journey is inspiring - from Brazil through France to the heart of Europe, where she became a key part of the continent's most successful club. At 29, she's in the best form of her career, and her combination of technique, strength, and handball intelligence makes her one of the world's best backs.

Team Esbjerg is in an incredible situation - fourth FINAL4 in a row, but they're still waiting for their first semifinal victory. Two of their three previous semifinal losses were against Győr - 32:27 in the 2021/22 season and 24:23 last year. This time they have more experience, greater squad depth, and enormous motivation to break the curse.

The Danish team finished second in the group behind Győr, but that doesn't mean they're weaker. In their head-to-head matches, they lost at home 26:28 and away 23:29, but a semifinal is a completely different match. Esbjerg knows Győr is the favorite, but that could be their advantage - without pressure, with nothing to lose.

The second semifinal brings a clash of French elegance against Danish strength. Metz Handball has rich European traditions and experience with big matches. Odense Håndbold managed to beat Győr 35:28 in the group phase - the only team that managed to stop the Hungarian machine this year.

For Odense, just participating in FINAL4 is already a success, but the Danish team certainly didn't come to Budapest just as participants. Their victory over Győr showed they can beat anyone on a good day. Metz has experience and quality that can decide in key moments.

MVM Dome in Budapest will become the epicenter of European handball. The weekend begins on Friday, May 30, with the opening of the Fan Zone at 4:00 PM. Meet & greet with players, autographs, photos - the perfect start to a handball celebration. Fans from all over Europe are gathering in the Hungarian metropolis to witness history.

The FINAL4 atmosphere is something unforgettable - concentrated energy of the best European handball in one place, during one weekend. Every match is a final, every moment can decide the trophy. Budapest has rich experience with major handball events and MVM Dome will provide the perfect environment for this season's pinnacle.

Győr enters as the clear favorite with experience, quality, and form. But handball isn't played on paper. Esbjerg has the motivation of four years of frustration, Odense managed to beat Győr, and Metz has European experience. In FINAL4, anyone can win - one good day is enough.

Key factors that will decide the new champion include mental strength - who better handles FINAL4 pressure. Goalkeeper performances in semifinals and finals often decide. Key players must shine at the right moment. Tactical changes by coaches must react correctly during the match. And sometimes luck decides too.

"The fact that we're in FINAL4 and can fight for the trophy is the only motivation we need to try for another Champions League for the club," says Bruna de Paula, and it's exactly this approach that makes Győr win.

Budapest will witness handball history. Four teams, one weekend, one queen of Europe. Who will take the crown?

FINAL4 begins May 31 at MVM Dome Budapest, Fan Zone opens May 30.