EHF Finals Dijon métropole 2026 flash quotes: 15 May
DIJON — Comments from players and coaches at media calls on Friday, ahead of the EHF Finals Dijon métropole 2026.
JDA Bourgogne Dijon Handball
Nina Dury (FRA) — left wing
On playing the EHF Finals for the second consecutive time:
“I'm very happy to be back because it's a very difficult thing to have two in a row. Even more that we have a chance to play home, here, in Dijon. It's amazing for us, but for me especially, because I'm born in Dijon and I have a chance to play such a big event together with my sister. It's a big thing for our family.”
On the importance of having the EHF Finals Dijon métropole 2026 at home:
“It's important for the club, for us and for the fans. I'm sure they will gather and be loud at the stands. It's a rare thing to have this kind of experience at home.”
On the semi-finals against Esztergom:
“When we saw we're playing against Esztergom in semi-final, we just said, okay, we have to work hard to win this team. They had a big season and they do a really good part in the European League. They play very good together and it will be a tough match, but a tough match we need to win.
“Their back player is very good and she can do long distance shots, so we have to make a good impact in the defence to stop the ball.”
On last season's experience:
“It will be very different than the last season. Last season, we only discovered everything related to the EHF Finals. Now, we are at home with more experience. We lost or semi-final in 2025 and it was very hard on us, even though we won for the third place. But now, we are ready to be more prepared and not to be affected, and I hope we will be able to win in the first game too.”
Ann-Cathrin Giegerich (GER) — goalkeeper
On playing the EHF Finals in Dijon:
“I'm really, really excited. The possibility to play a Final Four on international level in front of a home crowd, this do not happen to a lot of players. So it's incredible that we have this chance. I'm excited for us, ourselves, our team, but also for the city, for our fans especially, and for the people of the club who worked so hard to make this happen.”
On the lessons learned at the EHF Finals Women 2025:
“We made a step forward for sure this season. Most of the team stayed together. We have more experience. Hopefully, we can go to the matches with a little bit more routine. I feel this year there are four strong teams, no big favourite maybe, like in the last seasons. That's why the experience is even more important.”
On the season overall:
“We made a strong performance in the whole season so far. We had a strong group. Two teams from our group made it to Dijon and that explains a lot. We had two really tough games against Viborg. So there were a lot of games on a very high level in the group. Our quarter-finals were more clear, but I think the intensity of our group phase gave us already a good experience of what will be waiting for us this weekend.”
On playing against Esztergom:
“I'm excited to play against them. I played three years in Hungary, so I'm looking forward to play against Hungarian team. They made a really, really big step up the last two years, going from the second league in Hungary, to the first league and directly qualify for the European League, and now directly to the EHF Finals. Maybe a little bit like us last year, we were also like a surprise team in the EHF Finals. They have a good mix from young, ambitious players and some experienced players.”
MOL Esztergom
Gábor Elek (HUN) — head coach
On historic EHF Finals for Esztergom:
“We are very proud and very happy to be here. But we would be really happy and proud if we could have a medal at the end of this weekend.”
On the season so far:
“If I knew the secret how we are here, I would do it every year. Joke aside, we were very, very motivated because this is the first season for the club to be at international level. The girls did a very, very hard job during the season. And that's why we could have that very nice games, and I would be satisfied after the two games this weekend if the girls do the same great job as they did in the group phase.”
On the semi-finals in Dijon:
“We know that the host team will get big support from the fans, but we don't think that it will be any kind of effect on our players, because in Hungarian league, we play a lot of matches in full house. So we are used to the noise and the fans. And the most important thing for us to enjoy the game.”
Zita Szucsánszki (HUN) — centre back
On playing at the EHF Finals Dijon métropole 2026:
“It's a historic moment for us. And we have been doing for the three years, these historic events. So we would like to have a very happy ending. It's a big success for us to be here.”
On the semi-finals:
“It doesn't matter which team is our first opponent, because in this final, all four teams are really good. And we know that there will be a good atmosphere in the hall, and we will see if it is a kind of advantage or disadvantage for us.”
On the team:
“We have a very young team, only with some experienced players who have already been in the situation like this. So it's very important for the team to learn from this weekend from these two matches in two days. All the team is looking forward to the matches.
Emma Jacques (FRA) — right back
On playing the EHF Finals Dijon métropole 2026:
“I feel really excited because it's a big weekend for the club, for the team, for everybody here. We are really excited. And we can't wait for tomorrow.
"It's amazing for me because my family is going to be here. And I didn't expect it, when I left France, that I will be coming back with Esztergom to play Finals here in Dijon. It's a special feeling.”
On playing against Dijon and her national teammates:
“I know so well this team because I played for 10 years against them. It's a really good team. They fight, they can be losing by six goals and continue to fight during the game. It's never over for them. It's going to be a really tough game. But we are not here just for participation. We really want to do something amazing for the club.
"I know a lot of players in this team. Almost everybody. Of course, it was funny to have them in the semi-final, but a game is a game. We're going for the win.”
On Esztergom's strengths:
“We have a really good defence and we have a lot of players that can help the team, we can fight during one hour. If someone is tired, we can change. We have a lot of different plays in attack.”
On the home support for Dijon:
“They can have a big pressure on them because it's the second time that they are at the EHF Finals. When you are at home, you have this pressure that you have to do something. For us, it's the first time here and the first time playing the competition and less pressure. But, of course, we're going to have also a lot of fans.”
Thüringer HC
Herbert Müller (GER) — head coach
On being back at the EHF Finals:
“It's totally special for us because, for me, all these international games are so nice to do it, because it's so well deserved. After a long, good season in Germany, you have to fight for your nation. And winning last year makes it more special.
"For us, it's a great situation. Last season it was a bit surprising because Ikast was the main favourite, without doubt, they had a Champions League team and we know well our place is the European League. So having a chance to defend your title is something that cannot happen every day.”
On the semi-finals:
“This tournament is very interesting because the teams are different. I think the semi-final between Dijon and Esztergom will be more a physical one, with very strong physical teams with a lot of power. Viborg have a young team, but a very fast team, and it's very important for us to avoid the technical mistakes, to force them into the positional attack.
"If you let them play fast and you must run like rabbits against them, you will have a big problem. So our main goal will be to have good shot efficiency, a good running home, and doing everything to show that we already have the experience of the of the last season or the last four seasons, because it's the third time that we are here.”
On his team:
“The main difference between this season and the last season is that I had the feeling that we are coming in a better shape. Unfortunately, we had a lot of injuries in the past month. This also forced us to do some other things. The preparation was not in the optimum as I like it normally, but I don't want to complain. If you play a final weekend, you must be ready for it and you must go with everything you have from the mental side, from the physical side, to go all in and to do everything to get the chance to defend your title.”
On players Anika Niederwieser, Nathalie Hendrikse, Csenge Kuczora and Johanna Reichert:
“We have two main players, who were so many years with us and they will stop after this season. On the other side, Johanna will leave also, Csenge too. Very important players.
"As a coach, you don't like to talk about players, but rather the whole team, but in this case, seeing how Johanna played last season here, we have to talk definitely also about her. I will miss her. We took her as a young player, we developed her and we are proud of the way she is going. We will follow her way in the future. And maybe we could send her to Bistrita with one title more. That would be really great.”
Luca Faragó (HUN) — line player
On playing her first EHF Finals:
“I'm really excited about the weekend because for me, it's the first time that I play in a European League final four. It's a very big step for every player and everyone wants to be here. So I really looking forward how will this weekend go. And, hopefully, we will be happy in the end of it, too.”
On Thüringer's previous experience:
“I heard a lot of stories from the girls in the last week. They played really good. They said it was a really good feeling and that feeling also gave them a lot of strength. So I hope we, as a team, can do it again.”
On Viborg:
“It's a very strong team. They are playing very fast. They play in this Scandinavian style handball. We really need to pay attention on them. And really, we have to reduce our technical mistakes. We will try our best and we will see how it will end.”
On her sister Lea playing for MOL Esztergom:
“We said in the beginning of the season that it would be the best if we could play against each other in the final, because then it means that both of us reached the highest level in this tournament. There is a chance, so I hope it will come true.”
Csenge Kuczora (HUN) — centre back
On playing the EHF Finals as reigning champions:
“I hope it's not a pressure for us. It's just, I hope, it's a motivation for everyone that we already won one. So we want to just feel again, this feeling what we felt after this final.”
On playing against Viborg in the semi-finals:
“They are playing very fast, but we can also. That can also be our strength for in this game. And I also hope that we can be patient in attack and in defence also, but more in attack. Just to reduce our technical mistakes.”
On her leaving the club at the end of the season:
“I get a bit goosebumps when I think about saying goodbye to this team after two years. And now we have a chance to reach final. I hope it will be really good. I really want to reach it again. It would be great way to say goodbye, and would make me really happy.”
