Petra Vamos on gaining confidence in Metz

“The whole saga started many years ago as I somehow always followed Metz’s matches and results. I started to like their game style, their tactics and their mindset. As I reached the point that I wanted changes to develop further, Metz were an obvious candidate – not to mention that they also wanted me,” says Vamos.

The 2019 European junior champion had never played abroad, but from the age of 14 she lived far from her home in Ózd, on the northern Hungarian border with Slovakia. She first spent time at the Hungarian National Handball Academy, then went to Debrecen where she spent five seasons before she joined the French title-holders.

“It was too much stimulus and information in the beginning, moreover I did not speak French, so I needed some time to get used to everything,” Vamos says of her big move.

“I have had some challenges and tough moments but I also thought that these are natural and part of my journey. The new game style and tactics are also completely new and I really struggled hard to understand every little details of them. But now, I am more and more confident which frees me.”

France is far from Hungary and the culture, cuisine and language are all very different, but Vamos is slowly settling in.

“I cook mostly with spices from home which are very different from the local cuisine, but slowly I try that as well. I already have some beloved words in French, the ones I understand. But seriously, we learn the language and it is such a good feeling to understand more and more in the changing room,” she explains.

There are also challenges and changes in Vamos’s personal life as a result of the move, but she is making the best of her new life.

“I am happy because I do what I love. However, to play together with my sister, Mira, in the last couple of years was amazing. Practices, matches or just spending time together, we were always there for each other,” Vamos says.

“On the other hand, my boyfriend is also in Hungary which makes my stay harder, but I really enjoy being here. Additionally, the schedule is so tight, I really do not have the capacity not to focus on my profession.”

The 24-year-old centre back stayed in France after Hungary finished sixth at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. And despite having hundreds of games in her legs, she has had to adapt to the Metz system.

“I am a maximalist and from the first moment I understood that my 100 per cent is not enough here and I take it in a good way because I was also quickly shown that there is more in me.

“In Metz, the management records everything, There is no such a thing like a ‘bad pass’ in practice. We will re-watch what happened, analyse it then retry – if needed, 100 times until it’s perfect. This mentality introduced new dimensions to me.”

Her role and responsibility are bigger than she thought.

“As we have more choices during an attack, I have to think more,” she says. “There is no room for error and no time for hesitation.”

Vamos says head coach Emmanuel Mayonnade is clear about her tasks and responsibilities, and has asked her to be braver and to shoot more. In five Champions League games so far, she has shot 21 times and netted 14 goals.

In France, Metz are the team to beat and their president Thierry Weizman has said it is a tragedy if the club loses. However, Vamos reacts well to pressure.

“I always want to win in any circumstances, against anybody. It is not pressure, it is the way we are in Metz. We never stop. It is important to get the two points even if we are in bad shape because in that case all you need is hard work. In France, we are considered as Györ or Fradi in Hungary, everybody wants our scalp. It is a sweet burden, I just love it,” she adds.

Metz Handball are immaculate after five rounds. They won against FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria in round 5’s Match of the Week and have also beaten HC Podravka Vegeta,  Nykøbing Falster Håndbold and CS Gloria 2018 BN. They shared a point in the season’s debut with Storhamar Handball Elite.

Now, they face CSM Bucuresti in a repeat of last year’s quarter-finals.

“Not many people can say that I have good memories from the Romanian capital as we surprisingly came home with a draw with Debrecen (last year),” Vamos says.

“Having seen our performance this season in the EHF Champions League, we are not totally satisfied. Most of our matches were very tight and we know we can play better handball. However, I do feel that from the triumph against the Hungarian powerhouse we will build more confidence and finally believe in how strong we are.”

CSM Bucuresti have not reached the EHF FINAL4 since 2018, but Vamos knows that their opponents are always able to cause a shock.

“Cléopatre Darleux was fantastic last week and with a similar performance, our defence would create the base. In attacking, we have to find the weak spots of CSM’s wall. We have to put pressure on them and keep pushing. However, sometimes you can execute the game plan perfectly and there is still a player from the opponent like Cristina Neagu who scores 11 times that day. Their line players are also great, so we will focus on running and take their confidence,” she predicts.

At the age of 24 Vamos has firm views on her plans and future.

“I can do much better than I thought and for that I needed to push my limits because the ‘little girl’ from Ózd is still with me and she always asks me: are you good enough? I am glad that this ‘little girl’ is still with me as I can always surprise her and that drives me.”

Photos © Cedosa 380/Kevin Clement