Mosonmagyaróvár: Head Coach Steps Down – Europa League Quarter-Finals Ahead

Mosonmagyaróvár’s attempt to spark a turnaround with a mid-season coaching change has hit an immediate roadblock. Despite naming Ferenc Stranigg as interim head coach on Tuesday, the team suffered a decisive 14-goal defeat to Esztergom on Wednesday in a Women’s Handball NB I league match. The loss comes just days after Esztergom defeated Mosonmagyaróvár 36-25 in the first leg of their European League quarterfinal tie in Győr.

The club announced the decision to part ways with Dragan Adzic after a period of consultation, stating they had carefully considered the club’s objectives and the team’s current situation. Stranigg will lead the team on an interim basis while the club management begins negotiations regarding further professional management, according to a team statement.

This week presented a challenging double-header for Mosonmagyaróvár, facing Esztergom twice within a short timeframe. Wednesday’s league match saw them host the fourth-placed team in the NB I standings, while Sunday will see them travel to Esztergom for the second leg of the European League quarterfinal. The first encounter, played in Győr, resulted in a significant victory for Mol Esztergom.

The defeat underscores the challenges facing Mosonmagyaróvár, who have struggled for consistency this season. The team’s performance in the European League, while competitive, has not translated into domestic success. The coaching change was clearly intended to address this imbalance, but the immediate result suggests a deeper set of issues may be at play.

Esztergom’s dominant performance on Wednesday highlights their strength as a team, both domestically and in European competition. They controlled the match from the outset, building a ten-goal lead by halftime and extending their advantage throughout the second half. The victory demonstrates their ability to perform under pressure and maintain a high level of play even amidst a busy schedule.

The match also revealed some personnel challenges for Esztergom. Mari Tomova, Pipy Wolfs, and Eszter Tóth were unavailable for selection, while Gabriella Tóth was named but unable to play due to injury. Despite these absences, Elek Gábor’s team was able to secure a comfortable win, showcasing the depth of their squad.

The game saw a broad distribution of scoring for Esztergom, with nine different players finding the net before halftime. Emma Jacques led the scoring with ten goals, while Lili Herczeg delivered a strong performance in goal, saving 11 of 25 shots faced (44%). Mosonmagyaróvár, despite having 13 players score at least one goal, were unable to mount a sustained challenge.

The result adds another layer of intrigue to the upcoming European League quarterfinal rematch. Esztergom will carry a significant 11-goal advantage into the second leg, putting them in a strong position to advance to the semi-finals. Yet, the return leg will be played in Esztergom, potentially giving Mosonmagyaróvár a slight advantage with home support.

Elsewhere in the NB I on Wednesday, DVSC Schaeffler secured a resounding victory over NEKA, while Ferencváros defeated Kozármisleny KA in an away match. The DVSC’s Alicia Toublanc was particularly impressive, scoring 11 goals from 12 attempts. These results further solidify the positions of these teams at the top of the league standings.

As of March 25, 2026, Győri Audi ETO KC leads the NB I standings with 37 points, followed closely by FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria (35 points) and DVSC Schaeffler (34 points). MOL Esztergom currently sits in fourth place with 28 points, demonstrating their consistent performance throughout the season. The league race remains competitive, with several teams vying for a place in the playoffs.

Elek Gábor, the head coach of MOL Esztergom, acknowledged the challenges of maintaining focus during this crucial stage of the season. We are in the worst part of the season: we have a lot of kilometers in our legs, but we don’t see the end yet. There is always the biggest suffering in a team’s life at this time, because we know we have to work and We find a lot of matches left, but we don’t have much enthusiasm anymore, but we want to win, he stated after the match.

The coaching change at Mosonmagyaróvár was a clear attempt to address the team’s struggles and reignite their season. However, the immediate defeat to Esztergom suggests that more fundamental changes may be required. The upcoming European League quarterfinal rematch will provide a further test of the team’s resilience and their ability to adapt under new leadership. The pressure is now on Ferenc Stranigg to quickly instill a new sense of direction and motivation within the squad.