The sponsorship agreement and the excellent professional work at the club soon became apparent. Over the past 20 years, they have reached the throne of Europe seven times as Győri AUDI ETO KC, celebrating 19 Hungarian championships and 16 Hungarian Cup victories. They have become the most successful Hungarian team of our time, and hundreds of little girls in the city dream of becoming great handball players one day by growing out of the academy of the local team.

On June 1, 2026, almost exactly 20 years later, the owner of the then number 13 jersey was now representing the club on the pitch as president, when she handed over jersey number 20 to Michael Breme, Chairman of the Board of Management of Audi Hungaria. The symbolism has not changed at all, the company with the four rings continues to stand behind the club as the title sponsor of women's handball in Győr.

This cooperation over the past twenty years has not only provided a stable background, but has also built a defining community both on and off the field. What does Audi’s support mean today for the team, the club and those who are part of this story every day? This is what four of our colleagues, the president of the club and one of the players of the team tell us through personal stories, experiences and memories.

Eszter Kiss, a colleague of our Project Management Office, was drawn into the world of sports as early as elementary school, her family gathered in front of the screen as a sacred ritual during the Olympics, and Eszter traces her dedication to handball back to that time. After moving to Győr in 2009, there was no question that she would personally support her favorite team in Győr.

Tell us about Eszter, the fan.

“As a fan, I'm just like I am at work: reliable and persistent. In the B-section, behind the drums, of course, my more passionate, enthusiastic side comes out more. Ever since I’ve lived in Győr, I have been actively out at every home game and I also travel with the team to away games. I have travelled all over Europe, from Sweden through Spain to Romania. As a member of the board of the official fan association, I actively help build bridges between the club and the fan base and I strive to ensure that this fantastic relationship works as well as possible.”

What is your favorite sports memory?

„The most exhilarating moment was of course the first Champions League victory, which not only broke the curse of having lost seven previous international cup finals but also marked the dawn of a new, glorious era for us. But I was also there when the sponsorship agreement was signed 20 years ago, and my heart still swells with pride every single time I catch a glimpse of the G8 building on the screen in Audi Hungaria’s promotional video.”

Ottó Kovács works on quality assurance projects in our company's vehicle factory; he previously helped our colleagues on their path to becoming leaders and advancing in their careers, and he is currently leading a digitalization project. It is a positive professional trait that, as a fan, he appreciates and consistently monitors both the teamwork and the coaching staff’s professional expertise that underpin sporting success.

How long have you been involved in sports, specifically handball?

"I have been active in sports since I was a child, I used to do athletics, and these days I regularly participate in the Balaton Cross Swims, UltraBalaton and I enjoy cycling. Since I am from Tamási, Fotex Veszprém was the team that became my favorite thanks to my parents, and then when my brother - who also works for the company - and I moved to Győr, we regularly went to Magvassy Sports Hall to cheer for the girls. I was impressed by Kálmán Róth's winning streak and the way the club has become more professional in every respect thanks to Audi's sponsorship.”

Based on your previous experience in human resources, how do you view the team’s performance?

"Of course, as a fan, I really get into the games, and I go wild with the crowd depending on where my seat is,” says Ottó with a smile. Due to my profession, I may be better able to see beyond the successes and the hard work that went into them; I realize that it’s only natural not to be able to maintain peak form all the time, and that injuries can happen, so it’s important for a community to know how to handle potential setbacks and to engage in self-reflection. I’m fascinated by the coach's communication style, the psychological dynamics, and the combination of many factors that make this club so successful. Most recently, even some of the management liked one of my more professional posts on the team's social media page.”

We meet Döme, that is Ferenc Dömötör, at G50, where he has been working in the maintenance warehouse of the body shop since 2013; for this interview, he is wearing his green-and-white jersey emblazoned with the name “Döme.” Our colleague, who moved from Zalaegerszeg to Győr, didn’t really know the first thing about handball, with a slight exaggeration, and aside from the name Anita Görbicz, he probably couldn’t have associated anything else with the sport. Upon arriving in the city that is home to Győri ETO, he quickly became a devoted fan of the sport; since 2015, he has held a season ticket and cheers on the green-and-white team from his spot behind the home bench at every match.

How do you feel about being part of the handball successes in Győr as an Audi employee?

“It definitely fills me with great pride. I discovered this fantastic sport through ETO, and since then my heart has been beating in unison with the fan community. I’m really happy to be able to share my experiences with my favorite colleague, my friend Sanyi, who has been sitting next to me at Audi Arena games for the past six or seven years. Of course, it's on my bucket list to get to a Scandinavian match. I consider it a tremendous honor to be part of such great successes, I was there at the first Final Four victory, and I’ll never forget the atmosphere created by the nearly 15 thousand fans from the four corners of the pitch cheering on their own team. I have fond memories of Éva Kiss’s defense in 2018, but I also attend fan events, as well season openers and closers. I am also really rooting for my niece so she can play handball at the ETO Academy so that one day I can see her walk onto the court at the Audi Arena as an AUDI ETO player.”

After 27 years of working at Audi, Sándor Kálmán is now enjoying his well-deserved retirement; he previously worked as a segment manager in the field of V6 Diesel and V8-V10 engine production. Sanyi, who is still extremely active in his sixties, has been playing sports since childhood; after football and tennis, he now also practices Pilates. We can guess who might have inspired you to start cheering for the women's handball players of Győr back in the day!

“It was a long time ago when Győr TV started broadcasting ETO women's handball matches. I’d watch a game every now and then, and once I noticed a very young player who played with incredible flair – she had a great shot and would pass to her teammates from completely unexpected positions and with unexpected moves, which they sometimes couldn’t even catch at first. She was Anita Görbicz. Since then, I have been a fan of ETO. Just as there were very entertaining football matches during the Verebes era, I’ve seen plenty of great matches among the Audi ETO handball games. I remember one particularly funny one, namely the 2018 Final Four game, which had me on the edge of my seat. There wasn't much time left, the match was very close, and I checked my heart rate on my watch; it was over 100 even while I was sitting down. Then, at the very last moment, Éva Kiss scored a sure goal and we won the Champions League. Although, aside from that moment, I usually don’t glance at my watch during a game, I think I’m a pretty intense fan.”

Our colleagues’ stories clearly show that this support goes far beyond a simple sponsorship cooperation. It’s about shared experiences, pride and a community that has been closely intertwined with the club over two decades. But what does all this mean for those who work day in and day out for the team's success and represent the green and white colors on the field?

Veronica Kristiansen, an Olympic, World, and European champion, three-time Champions League winner, and Norwegian national team handball player, has been a wing player for Győri Audi ETO KC since 2018 and has also started a family in Győr. She feels a tremendous honor and responsibility when she puts on the jersey of Audi ETO KC.

What does it mean to you that a company as renowned as Audi Hungaria supports the team as a local sponsor?

“It means a great deal to me, both professionally and personally. Audi Hungaria is not only a globally recognized company, but also one of the key players in the local community. The fact that such a strong and respected company is behind the team indicates that they value our work and achievements, and it also creates a strong connection between sport and the city of Győr. The stability provided by Audi is evident in many areas of our daily work, as it creates a professional environment in which we can fully focus on training, development and performance.”

Why do you think the relationship between the club and the company is special?

“I think what makes this relationship special is that it goes well beyond sponsorship. Over the years, a genuine partnership and mutual trust have developed between the club and Audi Hungaria. It feels as though we’re working together for success, and this relationship has now become part of the club's identity. I especially enjoy those moments when we get to meet Audi employees and experience first-hand just how much they support and follow the team.”

Anita Görbicz, an enduring handball icon of many of us, is now contributing to the green-and-white team’s successes in her role as president. As team captain, she symbolically gifted her jersey to Audi Hungaria 20 years ago, and looking back today, she describes the fruitful cooperation that has continued ever since as immensely valuable.

What does it mean for the club to have Audi Hungaria as its title sponsor?

“We’re not just talking about a title sponsor, but a strategic partner that has believed in us, our work and our values for many years. This foundation allows us to remain competitive on an international level while operating the club’s entire structure at a high standard. We have a great deal in common, including a commitment to continuous improvement and a drive for excellence. In addition, both communities value local ties and the importance of setting a positive example for the next generation. Our shared successes extend beyond sports, strengthen the city's international reputation and demonstrate that Győr is a place where people excel at a world-class level in both sports and industrial production.”

How do you see the future of the partnership?

“This is an exceptionally strong and exemplary cooperation based on trust and shared goals. I am confident that we will continue to grow together in the future, achieve new successes and further strengthen the community of values that AUDI HUNGARIA Zrt. and Győri Audi ETO KC jointly represent.”

Perhaps it is no coincidence that while we were conducting one of the interviews for this article in a quiet office at G50, Queen’s legendary hit was playing softly on the radio in the background... What more could we wish for than to sing the same song on a Sunday afternoon, as we applaud with tears in our eyes for the latest green-and-white triumphs at the very top of Europe.