SUMMARY: Odense dominate MOTW; Ikast secure play-offs

• round 11 of the EHF Champions League Women 2023/2024
• on Saturday: in MOTW Odense Håndbold scored a convincing win 35:22 against DVSC in Debrecen; Brest Bretagne Handball completed a magnificent second half comeback to beat SG BBM Bietigheim 37:30; trio Grbic-Dmitrieva-Vojnovic lead Krim Mercator Ljubljana to an important last-gasp victory 28:26 vs FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria; Györi Audi ETO KC easily dispatched WHC Buducnost BEMAX 29:21 to extend their winning streak to 11
• on Sunday: Metz Handball recorded their eighth consecutive win by beating MKS Zaglebie Lubin 30:24; Ikast Handbold beat CS Rapid Bucuresti 30:29 in the final seconds, thus reaching the play-offs; current champions Vipers Kristiansand overpowered Team Esbjerg 37:32 in the Nordic derby; CSM Bucuresti made light work of their match against IK Sävehof (35:26)
• read the round preview here and check out the standings
• watch matches live on EHFTV (geo-restrictions may apply) and highlights on the Home of Handball YouTube channel
• follow the official EHF Champions League socials on Instagram , X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook EHFCL
• all photos courtesy of the home teams

SUNDAY 21 JANUARY

18:31

That's it from us for this weekend! It's been an another exciting round of EHF Champions League Women 2023/24, so make sure you join us again in two weeks time when we return with round 12 of the group phase.

Until then, we leave you with our daily review. Bye-bye!

18:14

And here are the snaps from Vipers' terrific win in Esbjerg.

18:00

Home crowd delight in Bucharest! Let's take a look at some of the photos from the Romanian capital.

17:52

What has changed this weekend in the standings you can check right here.

On top of that, here are all the results of round 11 as well.

17:45

So, we've had three pretty convincing wins today by Metz, CSM and perhaps surprisingly Vipers Kristiansand who were struggling this season, but put in probably their best display this season against Esbjerg.

The only dramatic conclusion came in Denmark where Ikast beat Rapid thanks to Jerábková's late goal. Needless to say, Lubin and Sävehof have lost yet again and remain without a single point in the group phase.

17:35 | FULL-TIME

TEAM ESBJERG - VIPERS KRISTIANSAND 32:37

Vipers played like true champions tonight in Esbjerg and thoroughly deserved their win. Excellent four minutes in the beginning of the second half - when they scored five goals without reply to lead 28:18 - proved crucial in the end. Coming back from 10 goals down against the current champions is virtually impossible.

Jana Knedlikova enjoyed her most efficient match of the season with 11 goals. Anna Vyakhireva followed with seven and Jamina Roberts with six goals, and Katrine Lunde with 14 saves.

With this win, Vipers remain tied with Krim in fourth place with 11 points. Esjberg, who suffer their only second defeat this season, have lost their two-point lead ahead of Metz.

17:27

Esbjerg are fighting so hard, but it's too little, too late. They've managed to cut Vipers' lead to five goals (29:34) before Knedlikova scored her ninth goal of the night to put the Norwegian team six goals ahead again. Surely it should be enough for the guests to win this with five minutes left.

17:22 | FULL-TIME

CSM BUCURESTI - IK SÄVEHOF 35:26

Another convincing triumph from CSM against Sävehof. In the reverse fixture in Sweden it ended 41:26, and tonight just slightly below that difference. Dindiligan and Ingstad with seven goals, and goalkeepers Eriksson and Skurtveit with 15 saves combined were more than enough to see off their opponents.

The Romanians make the most of Bietigheim's loss to Brest on Saturday and leapfrog them in fourth position with 13 points. Brest also have 13, while Bietigheim have 12. Sävehof are still without a point, just like Lubin in group B.

17:16

As we reach the final five minutes in Romania, it's all over. CSM lead 33:21. Esbjerg have managed to pull a few goals back, but it's still a hefty deficit, 32:25.

17:11

Esbjerg's Rikke Iversen seemed to have injured her leg. Vipers' Marta Tomac and Vilde Jonassen were the first ones to help her stand up and escort her to the bench. Hopefully it's nothing serious for the home line player.

17:06

It's a double-digit advantage in Bucharest also - CSM 27, Sävehof 17. The Swedish champions have surrendered.

17:02

Esbjerg are in shambles right now, it's 10 goals in favour of Vipers! 28:18. The only time the Danish team have tasted defeat so far was way back in September last year, against Krim in Ljubljana. They need a miracle to escape another one tonight.

16:59

Katrine Lunde is beginning to seriously frustrate Esbjerg's players. Vyakhireva scores two goals in succession, Schulze follows up with one of her own and for the first time Vipers lead by seven goals (25:18).

16:55

We're back in action in Esbjerg as well. In the meantime it's 21:13 in Bucharest.

16:50

Play is resumed in Bucharest. CSM with a huge lead 18:10 after the first 30 minutes. Can Sävehof make it interesting or will it be a routine victory for the home team?

16:40 | HALF-TIME

TEAM ESBJERG - VIPERS KRISTIANSAND 15:21

Phenomenal attacking display from the current champions in the first half. Goal by Jamina Roberts in the final seconds gave Vipers a big six-goal lead at the break.

Earlier, Vipers were 11:6 in front before Esbjerg came back to only a two-goal deficit. However, the Norwegians ended the first period by scoring four goals in a row and now Esbjerg's perfect record in home games (5/5) is in real danger.

Jana Knedlikova with six goals and Marta Tomac with four haven't missed a single shot for the guests, and Katrine Lunde on goal saved eight shots (44 per cent).

16:36

Goals galore in Esbjerg! Vipers Kristiansand with a three-goal advantage (18:15) towards the final three minutes of the first half.

16:35 | HALF-TIME

CSM BUCURESTI - IK SÄVEHOF 18:10

CSM quickly recovered from a slow start (0:3) and are now firmly in command. Another defeat for Sävehof seems inevitable. Neagu and Jensen Østergaard lead the Romanian side with four goals each, while Eriksson saved eight shots.

16:30

Sävehof's bright start is now a distant memory. CSM are already seven goals in front (15:8) with a very good performance from their goalkeeper Evelina Eriksson.

16:26

Esbjerg are fighting back. Their 4:1 run brings the score to 12:10 in favour of the current three-time champions, so now Tomás Hlavatý has to call a timeout.

16:19

Esbjerg's coach Jesper Jensen the first one to react with a timeout after Vipers ran off to a 10:6 lead. It didn't help, as Jana Knedlikova scored her fourth goal of the match to put Vipers into a five-goal lead, 11:6!

CSM have turned it around in Bucharest. Sävehof opened the game with a 3:0 lead, but now the hosts are dominating and lead 10:6.

16:13

Both matches with the same scoreline so far, the guests leading 6:5.

Anna Vyakhireva opened her account in Denmark by scoring her 56th goal in this season's competition.

16:08

Awful start from CSM. Sävehof lead 3:0 after almost eight minutes of play.

16:03

And now we're off in Esbjerg as well. Esbjerg, who are on an eight-game winning run, top group B with 18 points, while reigning champions Vipers are fourth-placed with nine points. The reverse fixture was exciting and high-scoring, as Esbjerg earned a 38:37 win away in Norway.

16:00

We're under way in Bucharest!

15:58

Final two games of round 11 are coming up!

15:55

Celebrations for Ikast, the two-time semifinalists of EHF Champions League Women, who have made their way into the play-offs once more.

15:50

This is how the match in Ikast finished. Wow!

15:43

With that highly dramatic victory, Ikast have secured their play-offs spot, but it remains to be seen whether they can somehow threaten Metz or Esbjerg in the top two.

Rapid stay in seventh with seven points, which is only one behind FTC and two behind Vipers who play agains Esbjerg at 16:00 CET today.

15:39

What a crazy finish in Ikast! This one went right down to the wire and it's Ikast who take all the points!

As we entered the final minute, Orlane Kanor hit the post. Ikast then took the lead 29:28 after Jerábková's ninth goal of the match, but Rapid still had over 20 seconds left on the clock.

Playing with an extra player, Rapid tied it at 29:29 with Janjusevic's 11th goal, but with six seconds left in the match Jerábková scored from the fast throw-off into an empty net, all the way from the middle of the court! What drama...

15:34 | FULL-TIME

IKAST HANDBOLD - CS RAPID BUCURESTI 30:29

15:26

In Ikast leads are being exchanged back and forth, it's all square once more, 28:28! Three and a half minutes left in this.

15:25 | FULL-TIME

MKS ZAGLEBIE LUBIN - METZ HANDBALL 24:30

Expected win in the end by Metz who have struggled in the first 15-20 minutes, but managed to take full control as the match went on. It's eight wins in a row now for the French champions who are now tied with group leaders Esbjerg at 18 points, but the Danes play Vipers Kristiansand at 16:00 CET today.

Metz's centre back Alina Grijseels, scored 11 goals in the whole season until this match. Today she scored nine! Hatadou Sako was also excellent, saving 13 shots.

Lubin have fought admirably, but resume their quest for first points. They still have three more chances.

15:18

It's 10 minutes to go in Ikast as well and it is still all tied, 25:25. Such an important match for both, especially Rapid who are fighting hard to reach the top six.

15:13

Lubin's resistance is getting weaker and weaker. Going into the final 10 minutes, Metz lead 27:19 and the winner is pretty much decided. Alina Grijseels is the top scorer with nine goals so far.

15:10

Ikast beat Rapid in Romania pretty comfortably in the reverse fixture (35:27) and this match in Denmark is nothing like that one. No team has had a two-goal lead in the second half, the score is 23:23 after Ikast missed another penalty! That's three already.

15:03

There was realistic danger that Lubin might fall apart after Metz took a seven goal lead, but Polish champions are determined to show they're worth more than their position in the group says. Metz still in control, it's 21:17.

In Ikast we have a real battle on our hands. Nothing to separate the two teams (20:20) after 10 minutes of play in the second half.

14:57

Ikast fail to convert their second penalty shot and Rapid immediately take advantage, they lead 17:16 for the first time in the match!

14:52

Now the match in Ikast resumes as well. In the meantime Metz have their biggest lead so far, 17:10.

14:49

Second half in Lubin has just started.

14:42

During the break let's enjoy this beauty of a shot!

14:39 | HALF-TIME

IKAST HANDBOLD - CS RAPID BUCURESTI 16:15

Ikast were up by four goals at one point (10:6), but Rapid are not going to be put away that easily today it seems. Only three saves in total for Rapid's goalkeepers, while Schjött has six. Whoever puts together a few solid defensive plays, might have the edge in the second period.

14:35 | HALF-TIME

MKS ZAGLEBIE LUBIN - METZ HANDBALL 10:15

Metz lead at the break, but they're not as dominant as it was perhaps expected. In the final few minutes they scored a lot of easy goals from the penalty spot so it seems like it was a routine half, but it wasn't. Lubin are putting up a good fight, although it remains to be seen if they can keep it up in the second period.

Sako already has nine saves, while Grijseels scored five goals for Metz. Lubin's goalkeeper Maliczkiewicz also had her moments with seven saves. Adrianna Górna with four goals for the home team. 

14:28

Lubin haven't scored in a long time, while Metz produced five goals on the bounce to make it 10:6. Finally, Lubin's goalkeeper Maliczkiewicz, who's having a very good match, scored from her own half into an empty net to bring the Poles to seven goals.

14:26

Lead by Jerábková and Schjött, Ikast went 10:6 in front before Rapid responded with three successive goals to bring it to 10:9. Two-minute suspension for Lindqvist and several technical faults obviously helped Rapid's cause.

14:21

Hatadou Sako, one of five world champions with the French national team last month who play for Metz, has found her rhythm saving six of the opening 12 shots! Metz are finding their range in attack as well and they now lead 8:6. Timeout Lubin.

14:15

Irma Schjött has had a few solid saves for Ikast as they opened up a 6:3 lead, but Rapid score two in a row now, it's 6:5.

14:12

Metz are looking kind of sluggish in the opening minutes. Perhaps a tough loss to Brest in the domestic championship a few days ago left some consequences on their physical and mental state. Nevertheless, they've erased Lubin's early lead and now it's 5:5.

14:07

Promising start by Lubin, they lead Metz 4:2 even though they have one less player on the court at the moment. Polish champions still could qualify for the next round, but only in theory because it's not realistic to expect given that they still haven't won a single point this season.

The same scoreline is in Ikast where also the hosts are in front.

14:00

Second day of EHF Champions League Women 2023/24 round 11 is now officially open! Let's see how the matches in Ikast and Lubin will pan out.

13:44

Rapid, who are on a three-match losing streak, need a win today against Ikast if they want to take advantage of FTC's loss on Saturday. It won't be easy though, as Ikast are still hoping for a top-two finish in the group. They are now ranked third with 13 points, three points behind the second-placed Metz.

13:32

Metz and Zaglebie and ready!

13:28

Just one more thing about yesterday. Györ's Ana Gros scored five goals in Podgorica and broke her 500 goal mark for the Hungarian club in all competitions.

Although, in the final minutes of the game Gros suffered a nose injury having received an elbow from Kalidiatou Niakate. Hopefully nothing was broken.

13:23

First up, at 14:00 CET we have Ikast Handbold vs CS Rapid Bucuresti and MKS Zaglebie Lubin vs Metz Handball.

At 16:00 CET Team Esbjerg host Vipers Kristiansand and CSM Bucuresti play at home against IK Sävehof.

13:20

Today most of our attention turns to group B where we have a fierce struggle for the play-offs. Zaglebie Lubin is still without a point, but all seven other teams still have all to play for. Esbjerg and Metz, who are number one and two in the group, have already qualified, but they still haven't secured a direct place in the quarter-finals.

This afternoon Metz should beat Zaglebie in Poland, while Esbjerg have a much tougher challenge against the reigning champions Vipers Kristiansand in the Nordic derby.

Rapid will try to leapfrog FTC by beating Ikast in Denmark, which will be anything but easy, while in the only group A match of the day CSM Bucuresti are heavy favourites against Sävehof who are already eliminated and haven't won a point yet.

13:10

Saturday saw three matches in group A. Odense took MOTW with an emphatic 35:22 win against DVSC in Debrecen, Györ kept their winning streak intact (now to 11) by beating Buducnost in Podgorica 29:21, which meant the Montenegrin side have also been eliminated, while Brest enjoyed a spectacular second half in a comeback win versus Bietigheim 37:30. In group B Krim won a tight match against FTC 28:26.

For more details about yesterday's matches, make sure to read our daily review and also take a look at the standings.

13:00

Hello and welcome to the second day of EHF Champions League Women 2023/24 round 11. After four matches on Saturday, we still have four more to go on Sunday to wrap up this round so make sure you stay with our live blog during the afternoon.

SUNDAY 21 JANUARY

22:26

That's it for Saturday! Round 11 of the EHF Champions League resumes on Sunday with four more games. Check out the complete schedule here, and in case you missed some of today's action, don't worry. We have our daily review ready for you. Live blog is back tomorrow at 13:00 CET, see you then!

22:02

It's been an eventful day in the EHF Champions League Women round 11.

As we've just seen in the final match of the day, Györ extended their winning streak to 11 by beating Buducnost 29:21, in MOTW Odense outplayed DVSC in Debrecen 35:22 and remained on course for second spot behind Györ in group A, while in the same group Brest produced a superb second half against Bietigheim en route to their fourth consecutive victory (37:30).

In group B Krim won a highly entertaining clash versus FTC 28:26 to remain firmly within positions that lead to the play-offs. The Hungarians still have a lot to do if they want to progress.

21:52

This is the moment Ana Gros received an elbow from Kalidiatou Niakate in the final minutes of the game. She left the court in tears and in visible pain with a bloody nose.

21:44

As we wrap up Saturday's action, here's our selection of photos from Podgorica.

21:32

It was a no contest really in Podgorica. The difference in quality is simply huge and we were under the impression that Györ played in the second gear the entire match. They still remain the only team in the competition that hasn't dropped a single point this season.

In Montenegro's capital, Ana Gros scored the most goals for Györ, five (all in the first half), but left the court with an injured, possibly broken nose. Hopefully it's nothing too serious.

21:28 | FULL-TIME

WHC BUDUCNOST BEMAX - GYÖRI AUDI ETO KC 21:29

Easy day's work in the end for Györ who record their 11th victory this season in as many matches. All credit to the five-time champions who have controlled the match, played professionally and respectfully against an opponent who is, to be fair, well beneath them in terms of quality right now. In their first meeting this season the difference was 18 goals, and tonight it ended with "only" eight.

The Hungarians remain on top of group A with 22 points, while Buducnost have been eliminated with only three points in seventh place.

21:22

In tears and with a bloody nose Ana Gros leaves the court after Kalidiatou Niakate accidentally elbowed her in the face. She received a two-minute suspension.

21:17

Still the five goal cushion for Györ, now it's 25:20 with seven minutes left in the match. Meanwhile, here's one of the rare moments tonight when it felt good to be on the Buducnost bench.

21:10

Györ are cruising (22:17), surely their 11th win is on the cards. They have tightened their defence in the second period, just like they did in the opening minutes of the match. 

21:01

Not much competitive tension to be quite frank. Györ, already qualified for the quarter-finals, are going through the motions, while Buducnost players seem to have given up on this EHF Champions League season. Before the match, the Montenegrin side still had a theoretical chance of progressing to the next round, but if they lose tonight, it's all over. Right now Györ lead 20:15.

20:52

Second half and final half of Saturday is under way!

20:43

Brilliant cooperation by Nze Minko and Dale, and this goal was created during the period when Buducnost threatened to level the match.

20:36 | HALF-TIME

WHC BUDUCNOST BEMAX - GYÖRI AUDI ETO KC 13:17

Györ, who have already secured an early quarter-final spot, are perhaps slightly more careless in defence than usual, but are still in control in Podgorica. Even though they were down 8:3 in front after 11 minutes, Buducnost have responded well and even managed to get within a goal from their opponents at 10:9. However, Györ are still comfortable favourites to win this. Ana Gros is flawless so far with five goals from five shots.

20:28

The tide is turning again. Buducnost fail to bring the match level at 9:10 and Györ make them pay straight away with three successive goals.

20:21

Buducnost are taking risks playing with an empty goal in attack and they're beginning to string together a few goals now. Also, Attingré saved a few shots as well, so now Györ lead only 10:9. Ivona Pavicevic is the player of the moment with three goals.

20:15

Buducnost have the least effective attack among all the tournament participants, as they scored 230 goals in 10 matches (23 on average). So far, it shows. They've scored only three goals in 11 minutes. Györ are in full control at 8:3 and it doesn't seem like Buducnost can keep up with them.

20:10

In case you missed it, here are the final seconds of that dramatic finish in Budapest. Tamara Mavsar with the crucial interception there:

20:07

After only 66 seconds Buducnost's Ivana Godec was suspended for two minutes because of dangerous play. Her shot hit Silje Solberg-Oesthassel straight in the head and it didn't take Györ long to open up a 2:0 lead. In the fourth minute Györ's goalkeeper saved Godec's penalty shot and Gros scored for 3:0.

20:00

The match has just started.

19:58

Photos from two matches that have just finished are here. A lot of emotions on show, enjoy!

19:55

We're five minutes away from starting our final Saturday's match between Buducnost and Györ. Stay with us and see if Györ can score their 11th win in as many matches this season.

19:45

Well, that was pretty entertaining in the second half of both games, with plenty of drama and uncertainty. Krim secured vital two points, while FTC struggled through most of that match without Andrea Lekic who will be sorely missed.

Brest played probably the best half of the season by scoring a whopping 24 goals! Bietigheim didn't know what hit them and ended up conceding 37 goals in total. Great win for the French team in front of a raucous crowd in Arena de Brest.

19:35 | FULL-TIME

FTC-RAIL CARGO HUNGARIA - KRIM MERCATOR LJUBLJANA 26:28

Monumental win for Krim who are now three points clear from FTC. They are fourth with 11 points, while FTC remains sixth with eight points.

Last season's finalists were close to snatching a point having trailed 27:22. They scored four goals in a row and even had a chance to level in the final minute, but Klujber's shot hit Vojnovic in the head and the home player received a two-minute suspension.

FTC defended in the next play, but then Mavsar intercepted the home team's counter attack and scored the final goal of the match for 28:26. Dmitrieva and Grbic with nine goals each and Vojnovic with 16 saves were absolute heroes for Krim.

19:30 | FULL-TIME

BREST BRETAGNE HANDBALL - SG BBM BIETIGHEIM 37:30

What a second half from Brest, they won it 24:13 to secure their fourth consecutive win! Valeriia Maslova (9/11) and Pauletta Foppa (8/8) were simply amazing, while Julie Foggea between the sticks also did her part with 11 saves. Brest now leapfrog Bietigheim in third place with 13 points, while Bietigheim are fourth with 12 points.

19:25

It's getting interesting in Erd Arena, FTC are only two goals behind (27:25). But, just as we're writing this, Edwige receives a two-minute suspension. And then, Böde-Bíró saves Radicevic's penalty shot! A glimmer of hope for the hosts.

19:22

Nothing is going Bietigheim's way now. Playing with an extra attacking player hasn't helped. Brest ran away to a 30:25 lead before Behrend pulled one goal back for the visitors. Right now, Brest are heavy favourites to win this.

19:17

As we're entering the final 10 minutes, Brest resume their terrific run and now lead 28:25. Bietigheim are shell-shocked. At their timeout we hear that they will play seven on six.

In Budapest, Krim are still in front, 27:23. Dmitrieva and Grbic are both on nine goals, with Vojnovic saving 12 shots. FTC's goalkeepers have saved only six shots between them.

19:12

Complete turnaround now in Brest! The hosts are showing the confidence they won their last three games with and now they lead 26:25, for the very first time tonight. Maslova is brilliant in the second period.

19:07

And now Brest finally put together a few good minutes. Maslova and Foppa score to bring the French team to a two-goal deficit.

Meanwhile in Budapest Krim are in control, they lead 24:19. Grbic has surpassed Dmitrieva, she has nine goals now.

19:02

Brest failed to narrow the gap to two goals. Instead, it's again a four goal advantage for Bietigheim after a goal by Gassama Cissokho (23:19).

19:00

Grbic is in terrific form right now and Krim are reaping the benefits (21:15). With seven goals to her name, she is closing in on her teammate Dmitrieva who is on eight. FTC are in real trouble.

18:52

The second half has started in both matches.

18:46

Guests are not being too kind to their hosts so far. Odense took both points in Debrecen, while Krim and Bietigheim lead in Hungary and France, respectively.

Oh, and invincible Györ are also guests. Bad news for the hosts, Buducnost? We'll find out tonight from 20:00 CET.

18:37 | HALF-TIME

BREST BRETAGNE HANDBALL - SG BBM BIETIGHEIM 13:17

After a pretty equal first 17-18 minutes, Bietigheim stepped it up in the final part and have a solid four goal advantage. Interestingly, Bietigheim scored the same amount of goals (17) in the first half of their previous meeting this season, but in that match Brest scored 16. The Germans ended up winning 34:30.

FTC-RAIL CARGO HUNGARIA - KRIM MERCATOR LJUBLJANA 14:17

Daria Dmitrieva with seven goals and Maja Vojnovic with seven saves made sure Krim have the upper hand at the break. FTC, who haven't had a single lead in the half, somehow need to find a way without their best player Andrea Lekic.

18:28

Krim are capitalising on Vojnovic's seven saves and FTC now need to respond. It's 14:10 to the guests.

18:25

Not anymore. Bietigheim are developing a larger lead now, Döll and Mala with four goals each put the Germans 13:9 in front. Timeout Brest.

18:23

Currently the scorelines are the same in both matches - the guests are leading 11:9.

18:21

After FTC levelled the match at 7:7, Krim scored three goals in quick succession to lead 10:7. Daria Dmitrieva, who is joining FTC next summer, tops the scoring chart with four goals to her name, while Maja Vojnovic already made five saves for the two-time champions.

18:15

It's a good, high-paced match in Arena de Brest. Antje Döll has just scored from the penalty shot line and Bietigheim lead 8:6. FTC are catching up on Krim, it's 7:6 now in favour of the Slovenian team.

18:08

It's 3:3 after five minutes in France. Valeriia Maslova, Brest's top scorer in the competition with 55 goals, scored her first one of the night, having missed the previous round due to a minor injury.

Krim, who are happy to have Jovanka Radicevic back with them, have started brightly in Hungary and they lead FTC 5:2. Both teams are in contention for the play-offs - Krim are fifth in the group with nine points, FTC are sixth with eight.

18:00

Matches have started! It's important to underline that FTC is weakened by Andrea Lekic's injury which will keep her sidelined for a while. Her right hand was broken during this week's domestic league match against Vasas and seems that surgery is inevitable. Huge blow for the last season finalists.

17:52

Before we head for some more action to France and Hungary (again), here a few snaps from our Match of the Week in Debrecen.

17:45

We still have three more games left tonight, so don't go anywhere. Starting at 18:00 CET Brest - Bietigheim and FTC - Krim, and then at 20:00 CET it's Buducnost - Györ.

17:40

Mie Højlund was named Match of the Week's Player of the Match by scoring seven goals out of eight attempts. Her teammates Aardahl, van Wetering and Hansen provided five each.

This is what the Danish international had to say about Odense's performance today:

"We played very well as a unit. Our defence was brilliant, we were helping each other out. Quick fast breaks were crucial, which is why we scored a lot of easy goals. At the end of the first half DVSC got a lot of space through the middle, so we had to be compact. Also, we had to try some long shots, which was effective in the second half."

17:34

Odense are inching closer to another quarter-final berth, having reached the final eight twice before. This was a nice, controlled match from their side and the coach Ole Gjekstad can be very happy. By beating DVSC, they remain firmly in second place of group A with 16 points, which is four more than Bietigheim who play at Brest at 18:00 CET tonight.

DVSC are still sixth with nine points, but they should be OK for a play-off spot, especially because Buducnost, who are seventh with six points less, play leaders Györ in this round.

17:28 | FULL-TIME

DVSC SCHAEFFLER - ODENSE HÅNDBOLD 22:35

This round's Match of the Week was a one-way street and the points travelled to Denmark. Odense thoroughly outplayed their Hungarian opponents, opening up an early 12:3 lead. The final 10 minutes of the first half was the best passage of play from the hosts who have recovered well and were down by only three goals at the break.

However, in the final 30 minutes Odense turned it up again and this time there was no way back for DVSC. Quite the contrary, by this scoreline, it is DVSC's worst defeat this season in Europe's top-flight. 

17:17

Yup, it's all over. Another two goals in succession for Odense, 31:19 now. The Danes can start celebrating their eighth win of the campaign.

17:14

Fifth goal by Andrea Hansen and a third by Bo van Wetering and that should put this match to bed. Odense's lead is now huge, 29:19. I would be surprised if DVSC replicated their comeback from the first half. Now, it simply doesn't look likely.

17:08

It seemed as if DVSC might start staging another comeback, like in the first half, but Odense are totally unfazed. Hansen now scored a delicious little lob over Bartulovic from the penalty line. The score says 25:18 to Odense with 15 minutes to go.

17:04

Kácsor is doing all she can to keep DVSC in this match. She's already on eight goals, but her team is still in a significant deficit (22:17), although they have scored two goals in a row now.

16:58

Fast break goal by Hansen puts Odense in a commanding position once more. The guests have scored in virtually every attack in the second half so far, they lead 20:14. Third timeout by DVSC.

16:52

Second half of our Match of the Week in Debrecen has just started.

16:50

DVSC can secure their spot in the play-offs this weekend if they earn more points against Odense than Buducnost do against Györi Audi ETO KC. Right now, they are lagging behind, but there's still time to recover against the third-placed team in the Danish championship.

16:44

Tell us what you think!

16:41

Gréta Kácsor scored almost half of DVSC's goals, five. Catherine Gabriel saved just as many shots for the hosts. Mie Højlund scored four for the guests, Maren Aardahl and Helena Elver Hagesø three each. Reinhardt saved three shots, but was eventually substitued by Ten Holte who made one save out of six shots.

16:38 | HALF-TIME

DVSC SCHAEFFLER - ODENSE HÅNDBOLD 12:15

It seems like a similar pattern to the one in their first meeting. Odense having a much better start, developing a large lead before settling for a three goal advantage at the break.

This time the Danes had an even bigger lead than at home. After only 18 minutes they were 12:3 in front and it looked as though the match was already over. But, DVSC managed to claw their way back. Their players were suddenly flying all over the court, which lead Odense's players into some errors. The guests still lead, but it's game on for the second half.

16:31

Best patch of play from DVSC so far and now Ole Gjekstad has to react with his own timeout. Again Kácsor, DVSC's top scorer this season, lead the way, Füzi-Tóvizi joined with two goals of her own and Odense's lead was cut to 13:8.

16:26

Fine few saves from Reinhardt and Odense are already 12:3 in front! DVSC haven't scored in almost 11 minutes when finally Kácsor converted a penalty shot for their fourth goal. However, body language of the home players isn't promising at the moment, they look dejected.

16:22

A rare sight today - one of DVSC's goals.

16:20

Less than 14 minutes gone in this match and Szilágyi calls his second timeout! Odense are really enjoying their time in Debrecen right now, they lead 10:3 with four goals by Mie Højlund. DVSC's goalkeeper Catherine Gabriel made a couple of saves, but to no avail for the hosts so far.

16:13

DVSC have managed to get themselves on the scoreboard finally (Kácsor scoring two goals), but they are still struggling defensively. Odense lead 8:3, just like they did in their first head-to-head last September! Amazing.

16:08

Disastrous start from DVSC, just like in Denmark the first time they met Odense. This time the Danes lead 4:0 and the home team coach was forced to call a timeout after less than five minutes of play!

In the very first minute Housheer received a two-minute suspension for the foul on Kácsor. Little bit later on, DVSC had a penalty shot as well, but Reinhardt saved Töpfner's attempt. Halilcevic, Højlund twice and then Elver put Odense 4:0 in front.

16:00

Our Match of the Week between DVSC and Odense is under way! Tune in to EHFTV (geo-restrictions may apply)to follow all the action from Debrecen.

15:55

Five minutes until Match of the Week starts!

15:45

In this season's first meeting between DVSC and Odense Gréta Kácsor's 10 goals weren't enough for the Hungarians, while Maren Aardahl lead the winners with seven goals.

Up until only few years ago, Aardahl was still playing both indoor and beach handball! Now she's Odense's top scorer in the competition with 55 goals this season.

Check out her story and what she has to say about the upcoming match versus DVSC in our feature by Adrian Costeiu.

15:37

Here's what Zoltán Szilágyi, head coach of DVSC Schaeffler, had to say before this match:

"We had a very important win against Buducnost last week, we are within arm’s reach of going through, so I hope we can play more freely. Odense are one of the strongest teams in Europe, they play very fast handball and they have very strong players physically. The key will be whether we can take on these strong players. If we succeed, we can play a close match with them again, like in Odense."

Odense's line player Sidsel Mejlvang Pedersen expects another tight affair.

"In terms of the game, we are becoming more and more coordinated. At the same time, we still want to put in effort at both ends of the pitch and finish things off, so that we both score and tackle. The matches are played over 60 minutes. Therefore, it is important to be focused both from start to finish, and everything in between. We must be ready to stand against the constant pressure that they bring. We want to enter the duels at both ends and should it happen that we lose a duel, the next one is ready to help.” 

15:30

Odense beat DVSC 33:30 at home in the reverse fixture in September, which was their first ever duel. Odense started off by leading 6:0, 8:3 and then 17:14 at half-time. DVSC fought back and narrowed the gap to just a goal (28:27), but the Danes managed to stay in front until the end.

It will be up to DVSC to have a better start this time, and also to try and contain Odense's powerful attack which has produced more goals than any team in the group, 335.

15:20

So, first match of the round is indeed Match of the Week! Last week MOTW was in Norway, now it travels to Hungary, Debrecen, where DVSC Schaeffler host Odense Håndbold in group A.

Last weekend against Buducnost DVSC scored possibly a crucial win 27:21 because now they’re sixth in the rankings with a huge six-point gap to Buducnost in seventh place. A place in the play-offs is therefore almost secured.

On the other hand, Odense are in a race of their own, looking to secure second position and a direct place in the quarter-finals. They are currently six points behind group leaders Györ and only two in front of SG BBM Bietigheim having lost their previous match to Györ 31:30 on home court.

15:14

Here's a quick reminder of the schedule for Saturday and Sunday:

15:08

Before we turn our attention completely to the Match of the Week, let's take a look at the round preview by Sergey Nikolaev.

15:00

Hello dear handball fans and welcome to the coverage of the EHF Champions League Women 2023/24 round 11! Race for the play-offs is heating up and all matches have a lot at stake. We've got eight clashes scheduled in total, with Match of the Week between DVSC Schaeffler and Odense Håndbold the first one among them, coming up in just an hour!