2. Team Esbjerg
The Danish champions made the EHF FINAL4 for the last three editions, but only secured their first win on the pinnacle weekend in last season’s 3/4 placement match. However, they still have a stellar line-up and are one of the teams this did not overhaul their roster, with just three players leaving and three coming in.
The biggest change was in the coaching department, as Jesper Jensen left after seven years in charge. He was replaced by another experienced coach in Tomas Axnér, which will probably not impact the team too much.
With four gold medallists from the 2024 Olympic Games — including backs Henny Reistad and Nora Mørk — as well as five bronze medallists with Denmark in the squad, Esbjerg look set to make a fourth consecutive trip to Budapest. But there are still questions about their depth, with any injury having the potential to derail their campaign.
1. Györi Audi ETO KC
Winning the sixth Champions League title last season was a huge relief for Györ, ending a five-year wait. Coach Per Johansson, who joined the Hungarian side in March 2024, has retained his position and aims to make it back-to-back trophies this season.
It has been an extremely busy transfer season for Györ. 10 players left, including the MVP of the EHF FINAL4 2024, Stine Bredal Oftedal, who retired from handball after the Olympics. Players like Ana Gros and Line Haugsted will also be missed, but Györ have welcomed some bombshells, including goalkeeper Sako, backs Jørgensen and Kristine Breistøl, and Dutch trio Dione Housheer, Bo van Wetering and Kelly Dulfer.
All in all, Györ look like the team to beat once again, with a strong core on both sides of the ball and players that can decide a match by themselves. They have clearly the most balanced team, in terms of experience and depth, in the EHF Champions League Women 2024/25.
Photos: kolektiff images (main, Ludwigsburg and Esbjerg), Györ (Anna Vyakhireva), CSM (Cristina Neagu)