Our women’s handball team travelled to Balatonboglár on Sunday evening in the middle of the Pentecost weekend, and despite the unusual kickoff time, plenty of fans turned out for the league match against NEKA. The arena was hardly packed because of the stakes, as it had already seemed almost certain before the game — and later became mathematically official — that we would finish second in the league, while NEKA would end the season in 12th place. The team had won last Saturday’s important clash against DVSC after a demanding season, and everyone expected two more victories to close out the campaign.

We took the lead for the first time in the third minute, but only started to create real separation around the quarter-hour mark. After a 5–6 scoreline, we scored six unanswered goals, and by the time the hosts’ goal drought of more than ten minutes came to an end, we were already seven ahead (5–12). NEKA struggled to break down our defence, while Kinga Janurik also read the shots well — only sixteen attempts reached her goal in the first half, and she saved six of them. At the other end Anna Hornyák made one more save, but from twenty-four shots, highlighting how much more easily we created chances. It was a calm match played in a friendly atmosphere, and we went into halftime with a seven-goal lead (10–17).

Alongside the long-term absentees Darja Dmitrijeva and Orlane Kanor, Laura Glauser, Vilde Ingstad and Júlia Hársfalvi were also unavailable for this game, meaning the rest of the squad received plenty of playing time, though the pace was never especially demanding.

After the break our play looked even more fluid, we found openings with ease, won the next ten-minute spell 7–3 and stretched the lead into double digits. Concentration dropped somewhat later on, with a few turnovers and missed chances, so the gap did not grow significantly. It did not shrink either, as Blanka Böde-Bíró produced an excellent performance in goal and saved two penalties in quick succession — although she was unlucky on one occasion when the ball bounced off her onto the crossbar and eventually dropped into the net.

Heading into the final ten minutes, we produced a 5–1 run in three and a half minutes to establish our biggest lead of the night at 17–33, though the margin narrowed slightly by the final whistle.

Our women’s handball team secured the expected victory margin against NEKA and will close the season next Sunday at 6 p.m. at home.