FTC and Krim extend winning streaks, Vipers and Rapid share spoils

• FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria extended their winning streak and secured the second consecutive win at the start of the season for the first time since the 2012/13 season
  
  
• 12 out of 14 outfield players scored at least once for FTC - Orlane Kanor and Angela Malestin netted five both
  
  
• goalkeeper Katrin Lunde saved Vipers' point with 14 saves - including stooping Bucuresti's last attempt worth of a win
  
  
• the 25:35 defeat against Krim Mercator is Nykøbing's biggest defeat this season, after the 22:31 loss against FTC in round 1, and their second biggest in the EHF Champions League ever
  
  
• Metz Handball redeemed themselves and took the first win boosted by Chloé Valentini's six  goals and a good second half performance by Camille Depuiset

GROUP A

FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria (HUN) vs HC Podravka Vegeta (CRO) 33:24 (17:12)

FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria could not have asked for a better start to the new EHF Champions League season. In front of their fans, they celebrated a second consecutive win and left the young team from Koprivnica with their second-biggest defeat against FTC. Just like in the first game against Nykøbing Falster Håndbold, FTC had a slow start letting the opponents hold the lead for 15 minutes. However, when their engines heated up, they produced, what would be, a decisive 6-0 run and by the end of the game almost every player managed to get past Podravka's defense. Only Podravka's goalkeeper Lucija Besen kept their trail on a decent level, having at one point 42 per cent save efficiency.

Krim Mercator Ljubljana (SLO) vs Nykøbing Falster Håndbold (DEN) 35:25 (18:10)

Krim Mercator joined FTC at the top of the table after securing their second straight win. The Slovenian team thoroughly dominated the court as 13 technical errors unravelled any potential comeback for Nykøbing. When you add Amra Pandzic's eight saves at 47 per cent save efficiency at halftime, Krim had all but assured victory in their hands. Krim's biggest lead was by 12 and Nykøbing only could soothe the defeat with six goals from left wing Zoë Sprengers who joined the club this summer from BV Borussia Dortmund. Krim on the other hand gave a fair chance to feature in the game to all players, with 12 out of 14 also scoring.

Metz Handball (FRA) vs CS Gloria 2018 BN (ROU) 28:26 (15:14)

The season's debutants were close to making yet another sensation, but Metz's experience prevailed in the end. With good performances by the goalkeeper on both sides, Metz and Gloria were locked most of the game with occasional narrow leads. However, Gloria owed all to Danila So Delgado who scored almost half of Gloria's goals in the first half. The turning point happened 15 minutes before the end when Chloé Valentini became Metz's fulcrum. Her five goals in five minutes were essential as the French powerhouse took a 27:22 even though Gloria never faltered and was fighting until the end. 

GROUP B

Vipers Kristiansand (NOR) vs CS Rapid Bucuresti (ROU) 30:30 (16:16)

After a win at the start of the season, Rapid Bucuresti were eager to stay on the same course despite the fact they have never won in Kristiansand. Still, they had to settle for a draw. The Romanian side was off to a good start, but the home team bounced back after Katrine Lunde's top performance. Rapid managed to make another break when Andjela Janjusevic netted two for a three-goal lead but Vipers continued to pounce and gave a thriller finish to the match. Both sides had a chance to grab more than just a point after being in deadlock for almost 20 minutes, and while Vipers made a bad call in the attack, Rapid's final shot was stopped by Lunde again. Lois Abbingh's seven goals and six by Albertina Kassoma led Viper and Rapid respectively.