SPORTS IDENTITY, PERFORMANCE, AND EFFICIENCY IN WOMEN’S HANDBALL. CASE STUDIES: VIPERS KRISTIANSAND (NORWAY), CSM BUCUREȘTI (ROMANIA), AND GYŐRI AUDI ETO KC (HUNGARY)

Abstract

This study examines the sports identity, performance, and management efficiency of three leading European women’s handball teams: Vipers Kristiansand (Norway), CSM București (Romania), and Győri Audi ETO KC (Hungary), during the 2018–2023 period. By analyzing their distinct strategies and outcomes, the research highlights how these teams achieved varying degrees of success through different approaches to recruitment, identity building, and operational management. Vipers Kristiansand demonstrated a clear identity centered on developing young, locally nurtured talent. The team maintained a stable coaching staff and fostered cohesion, which contributed to significant international achievements, including three Champions League titles. Despite these successes, financial mismanagement culminated in the team’s bankruptcy in 2024, raising questions about long-term sustainability. CSM București, on the other hand, adopted an expensive strategy, investing heavily in internationally renowned players. While this approach ensured domestic dominance, a lack of managerial continuity and frequent roster changes diluted its sports identity and led to underwhelming results in European competitions. The club’s inefficiency highlights the challenges of balancing high investment with tangible outcomes. Győri Audi ETO KC achieved balanced success, blending national talent with select international players to create a competitive and cohesive team. With a stable management structure and consistent performances in the Champions League, the Hungarian team exemplified how national pride and international aspirations can coexist effectively, culminating in a Champions League victory in 2019 and consistent Final Four appearances. The findings reveal that strong sports identity, effective management, and strategic performance planning are key to achieving sustained success in elite women’s handball. The study offers valuable lessons for sports organizations across team sports, emphasizing that financial investment alone is insufficient without clear strategic alignment and operational efficiency.