Five key factors in Bucuresti’s surprise victory

CSM Bucuresti stunned the world of handball with their astonishing performance at the Women’s EHF FINAL4, and the newly-crowned queens of handball travel back to Romania extremely happy with a perfect job done in Budapest. It was clear from the start of the 2015/16 season that the Romanian outfit had the quality and strength to go all the way, but winning the trophy in their maiden attempt in Europe’s elite competition required not only extraordinary perfomances, but some crucial external factors.   1.    Danish mastermind Kim Rasmussen A group of good players do not necessarily form a good team. They need a top coach to forge them into such an unbeatable machine, prepare them mentally, tactically and physically to be able to compete with the best teams, and beat their rivals from a position as underdogs. Kim Rasmussen did just that. It took some time, but CSM arrived in Budapest in perfect shape. They made the best out being underdogs and played absolutely free of pressure, which turned out to be a factor of great importance: Bucuresti players kept their nerves and equalised twice in the dying seconds of regular time and extra time. Rasmussen, who is widely regarded as a strong option to become the next coach of the Hungary women’s national team, outfoxed Hungarians twice this season – first leading Poland at the 2015 World Championship, then with Bucuresti against Gyor. The Danish mastermind finished fourth in the Women’s EHF Champions League Main Round, but won all games in the knock-out phase – each and every one against all odds.

2.    Györ’s lack of heavy artillery …

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