SUMMARY: MOTW win for Metz; victories for Györ, Vipers and Esbjerg
The race for the EHF Champions League Women Final 4 tickets has reached its final stage! The weekend is reserved for the first leg clashes of the EHF CLW Quarter-finals.
- in the first match of the day on Saturday, Metz Handball secured a comfortable 26:32 road win against FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria in what was our MOTW
- Tamara Horacek took the MOTW MVP title scoring eight goals
- later on Györi Audi ETO KC took a 27:29 road win against Odense Handbold after trailing throughout the bigger part of the match
- on Sunday, Vipers reached a 25:31 road win in Bucharest against Rapid
- later on, Esbjerg took the first leg against CSM Bucuresti celebrating a 32:28 win at home
- all matches live on EHF TV (geo-restrictions may apply)
SUNDAY, 30 APRIL2023
17:43
After the game, Nora Mork was both happy, but also aware that the difference could have been even bigger in the end: ''Of course we're satisfied with the win in the end. I feel like we've complicated the things a bit for ourselves in those last few minutes allowing them to cut the gap a bit. In the end a four-goal win which is good, but not a lot. Now we have a week to analyze the video materials, and prepare for what's waiting for us in Romania. I'm sure we'll prioritize working on our defense as that's an aspect of the game that was not functioning properly today'', concluded Mork.
''Going into this match we were aware of how good Esbjerg is, and I feel like we've today struggled way too much defensively allowing them too many goals in the end. It is obviously disappointing, but we must keep our heads high, and prepare in the best possible way for the second leg that will be played in Bucharest. We have to find a way to improve defensively, I feel like they were finding the gaps way too easily, especially through the middle of our defense with assists to their line players'', added CSM Bucuresti' Emilie Arntzen.
17:32
An incredible performance from Nora Mork who finished the game with eight goals and seven assists helped Esbjerg secure a four-goal win in the first leg against CSM. Vilde Ingstad added six goals, Henny Reistad five. When it comes to CSM, a solid offensive display from Emilie Arntzen who finished the game with 10 goals, while Cristina Neagu added seven.
17:27 FULL TIME
TEAM ESBJERG - CSM BUCURESTI 32:28
17:20
With only five minutes left on the clock, the guests have managed to cut the gap to four (30:26). Their defense is however still dealing with a lot of problems trying to slow down Esbjerg.
17:12
The description says it all.
Just Nora Mørk things 😍🔝#ehfcl | @TeamEsbjerg pic.twitter.com/1CLcMv50G1
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) April 30, 2023
17:04
Half-way through the second, it's a four-goal Esbjerg lead. Nora Mork is once again playing an outstanding game with seven goals, and multiple assists so far. Henny Reistad, and Vilde Ingstad have five each. Cristina Neagu and Emilie Arntzen have combined for 15 from 28 shots.
16:55
Just over five minutes into the second, Esbjerg has managed to extend the lead to six goals - 20:14. The guests are going to have to find a way to elevate their defensive performance if they want to get back into this one.
16:44
Teamwork makes the dream work, and CSM will surely be looking for more of the same in the second half!
Team effort at its finest 💎
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) April 30, 2023
Emilie Arntzen 🤜🏼🤛🏼 Siraba Dembele Pavlovic#ehfcl pic.twitter.com/UhJhrIpWNQ
16:35 HALF TIME
TEAM ESBJERG - CSM BUCURESTI 17:13
16:30
With under two minutes left to go, Esbjerg is leading 17:13 as Vilde Ingstad paves the way with four goals from just as much attempts. CSM is dealing with efficiency problems in the first half with Cristina Neagu and Emilie Arntzen combining for eight goals from 18 attempts.
16:21
With ten minutes left to go in the first, Esbjerg leads 11:10. Three goals for Henny Reistad and Vilde Ingstad, four for Emilie Arntzen.
16:13
A beautiful way to open up an aggressive, deep defense.
Emilie Arntzen with a powerful shot 💨#ehfcl pic.twitter.com/GbOVV6hf9A
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) April 30, 2023
16:05
Five minutes in, CSM is leading 2:3 in Denmark. Two goals for Christina Neagu, and three saves for Evelina Eriksson to start the day.
15:56
BUILD UP: Starting 16.00 CET ⏰, top scorers Henny Reistad and Cristina Neagu will fight to keep @TeamEsbjerg and @csm_bucharest’s EHF FINAL4 dreams alive 🌟
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) April 30, 2023
Which team will celebrate at the end of the day? 🎊
💻 Live on https://t.co/IXYHSdERe0. pic.twitter.com/o1gSTtchrR
15:49
One final look at the photo gallery from Bucharest, and we're turning to the final game of the day - the duel between Esbjerg and CSB Bucuresti. Last year, the two teams collided in the EHF CLW QFs with Esbjerg taking a 53:52 aggregate win, which guarantees us an exciting game to finish the day, at least when it comes to the EHF Champions League Women.
Vipers have some of the absolute best players in handball who single-handedly can win games. But we have quality, we know our quality, and if we can play up to our best level, we can beat everybody here!
20:13
After the game, Rikke Iversen concluded that it was a great match for the fans: ''It was a tough one, with a lot of ups and downs on both sides. Very intense, honestly just as we expected it to be. In the end they managed to come from behind and take the win, but I feel like we were both really 'on' today''.
Sandra Toft was delighted with the win in the end, after trailing by as many as six goals, and by five at the half: ''What a comeback! Two completely different halves from our side, but we've got to give Odense some credit as well, because honestly - they really surprised us in the first. In the end a two goal win for us, and of course I'm happy about it!''
19:55
We've got two more games coming up tomorrow! Starting from 14.00 CET, Rapid will welcome Kristiansand in Bucharest. Later on (16.00 CET) we'll see a duel between Esbjerg and CSM Bucuresti.
19:45
Two road victories today with Metz securing a comfortable advantage in Hungary over FTC, and Györ saving the day in the final few minutes of the game turning the result around after trailing by up to six goals. Second leg games are schedule for the next weekend - May 6 and 7.
19:35
After being in control of both the game and the result for over 55 minutes today, Odense failed to keep it up in the final few minutes of the game, allowing Györ to not only close the gap, but in the end take a two-goal win home from Odense. Ana Gros led Györ with nine goals, while Bo van Wetering and Lois Abbingh netted six each for Odense. Sandra Toft finished the game with eight saves for guests, Martina Thörn had one more for Odense.
19:30 FULL TIME
ODENSE HANDBOLD - GYÖRI AUDI ETO KC 27:29
19:25
+1 Györ (26:27) heading into the final three minutes of the encounter. Nine goals for Ana Gros.
19:18
A perfect example of what we've seen multiple times today - a brilliant Martina Thörn save that turns Odense's defense into offense.
Is Martina Thörn secretly a superhero? 🦹♀️
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) April 29, 2023
Amazing reflexes 👏 | #ehfcl pic.twitter.com/Gi79AVn1RY
19:13
Györ closes the gap to only one goal (24:23) on the wings of a much better looking defense, with coach Ambros Martin calling a time-out during the possession that Györ will be looking to score from and level the game! Interesting final ten minutes are ahead of us.
19:05
We're almost half way through the second, and Odense's offensive transition is still a big problem for Györ. Martina Thörn has seven saves, and almost every one of them finished in the hands of Bo van Wetering, Ayaka Ikehara and others in the counter-attack.
18:58
Five minutes into the second, the hosts are leading 18:13, not allowing the Hungarians to narrow the goal gap.
Lois Abbingh is still their leading scorer in this one with four goals so far.
HALF-TIME: There's no stopping Lois Abbingh today!
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) April 29, 2023
Odense Håndbold looked determined 💥 in the first half and currently lead 17:12 against Györi Audi ETO KC.
📱 https://t.co/IXYHSdERe0 | #ehfcl pic.twitter.com/Db51Bki5Np
18:48
With Odense players sharing the ball so well in attack, it is no wonder Györ can't find a way to slow them down.
This assist 🧡
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) April 29, 2023
🤾🏼 Trine Knudsen for Odense Håndbold | #ehfcl pic.twitter.com/zkpxDB67yE
18:40
An amazing first-half display helped Odense secure a five-goal lead heading into the half-time break. Lois Abbingh is leading their attack with four goals, while Maren Nyland Aardahl, and Bo van Wetering added three each. Ana Gros scored four for Györ.
Odense's defense is looking really well, and their attacking transition has proven to be really deadly which is why Györ is going to have to find a way to take care of the ball better, and be more patient on the attacking side of the court if they want to turn things around.
18:35 HALF TIME
ODENSE HANDBOLD - GYÖRI AUDI ETO KC 17:12
18:32
It's a 14:11 Odense lead heading into the final two minutes of the first. A really solid display from the hosts against favored Hungarians in the first on both sides of the court.
18:26
Györ finds the way to get back into it looking much better, and more aggressive on the defensive side of the court. It's a 12:10 Odense lead with six minutes to go in the first.
18:20
An amazing tempo that has clearly surprised Györ has helped hosts open the gap to five goals (12:7), with a bit over ten minutes to go in the first. Bo van Wetering is shining with three goals, while Aardahl, Abbingh, and Ikehara have two each.
18:12
Ana Gros takes care of offense scoring two in a row, and bringing Györ back into this one (5:3), after being down by four (5:1).
18:05
Five minutes into the game it's a 3:1 Odense lead, mainly thanks to some incredible saves from Martina Thörn to start the day.
17:57
Sydbank Arena in Odense is ready, as we are only a few minutes away from the first whistle!
17:46
And in under 15 minutes, we've got the second match of the day coming up with Odense welcoming Györ.
After getting past Storhamar in the EHF CLW Playoffs, Odense will now try to knock multiple title winners Györ out of the competition. As a reminder, Györ finished second in group B, earning a direct EHF CLW Quarter-finals ticket!
17:43
After the game, Louise Katharina Vinter Burgaard was happy about the win: ''Obviously, we had to be smart with our approach, as we know how dangerous they can be. Our goalkeeper Hatadou (Sako) did a great job today, and we were able to stay aggressive and focused on the defensive side of the court throughout the full course of the game, successfully slowing down Katrin Klujber. Great win!''
Andrea Lekic knows what it takes to win matches like this one, but also what are the thing you can't afford to do: ''I feel like even when we managed to get past their defense, we were not focused enough to put the ball behind Sako who did really great today. Obviously, it is going to be hard to make a push on the road in France, but we have to believe in ourselves. I feel like we did not play well at all today, and that there are a lot of things we can improve for the second leg''.
17:37
And here are some of the photos from Erd Arena!
17:34
A comfortable six-goal win for Metz in the first leg on the road, on the wings of the MOTW MVP Tamara Horacek and her seven goals, as well as an outstanding performance from Hatadou Sako between the posts with 19 saves! Emily Bölk, and Angela Antje Malestein scored seven each for FTC, while Biro and Janurik combined for 10 saves.
17:30 FULL TIME
FTC-RAIL CARGO HUNGARIA - METZ HANDBALL 26:32
17:26
With just under two minutes until the final whistle, Metz is leading 25:30, and the French team is inches away from securing the road win in the first EHF CLW Quarter-final leg.
17:20
After a few great saves from Kinga Janurik, Blanka Biro delivered a couple more in the second including this one where she showcased patience and composure.
Take a look at this impressive save by Blanka Bíró 🤯#ehfcl pic.twitter.com/K3Nrd1V8Y8
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) April 29, 2023
17:12
Just over ten minutes before the full-time whistle, Metz is once again leading by five goals (20:25). Hatadou Sako is doing a marvelous job between the posts with 15 saves already, while Tamara Horacek has seven goals.
17:04
Antje Angela Malestein, and Katrin Klujber spark FTC' push to narrow the gap to 18:21 after trailing by as many as six goals. The home-team defense is also looking better in these moments.
16:56
Three in a row for Metz in the beginning of the second, as the French team widens the gap to five goals (13:18).
16:53
Sarah Bouktit starts the second half with her third goal of the game. Hatadou Sako on the other side stops FTC' counter-attack.
16:50
Valeriia Maslova opens up the defense with this amazingly precise back-court shot. Worth seeing more than once.
Accuracy level: 💯
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) April 29, 2023
Valeriia Maslova | @MetzHandball #ehfcl pic.twitter.com/iLAciO7VU0
16:47
With 13 goals scored, FTC' biggest problem in this one appears to be the defense, as well as Hatadou Sako who is once again in great form. It will be interesting to see whether the hosts from Hungary will find a way to adapt and turn the match around in the second.
16:40
Metz is heading into the half-time break with a two-goal advantage in Hungary. Bruna de Paula, Kristina Jörgensen, and Tamara Horacek were leading their offense in the first scoring three each, while Hatadou Sako grabbed eight saves being one of the key performers for her team in the first 30. Greta Marton on the other side went 4/4 for FTC, while Emily Bölk and Antje Angela Malestein added three each. Kinga Janurik and Blanka Biro combined for five saves.
16:35 HALF TIME
FTC-RAIL CARGO HUNGARIA - METZ HANDBALL 13:15
16:33
With only two minutes left to play in the first, Metz is leading 12:14 in Hungary. Bruna de Paula is leading their offense with three goals, while Hatadou Sako has six saves. Greta Marton has, on the other side, netted four from just as much attempts for FTC.
16:26
Kinga Janurik is doing well early on, however Chloe Valentini has a superb solution up her sleeve.
This is what we call a smooth ✨lob shot✨
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) April 29, 2023
👏 Chloé Valentini for @MetzHandball #ehfcl pic.twitter.com/rWjIlTzPuz
16:23
It's 7:9 Metz leading as we're heading into the final ten minutes of the first half. Greta Marton and Emily Bölk have two each for FTC, while Sarah Bouktit and Tamara Horacek netted two each for Metz. Home-team offense seems to be able to find the gaps in French defense, however they are at the moment experiencing really hard time slowing down Bruna de Paula, Tamara Horacek, and Sarah Bouktit who is causing them a lot of problems on the line.
16:17
FTC' hopes of reaching the final tournament will surely depend a lot on the performance of their goalkeepers, and Kinga Janurik appears to be on the right level early on!
Kinga Janurik starting strong 💪 for FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria.#ehfcl pic.twitter.com/iQsV1mn2QH
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) April 29, 2023
16:13
It's a 4:7 Metz lead at the moment, as Sarah Bouktit leads the way offensively for her team with two goals. Hatadou Sako has two saves. Emily Bölk is still the only one with two goals for FTC, while Kinga Janurik has three saves.
16:05
Five minutes in, it is a 3:2 lead for the guests from France! Jörgensen, Horacek and Bouktit have scored for Metz, while Bölk found the net twice for FTC.
16:00
And the match is on! The hosts will have the first possession in Erd Arena!
15:57
With the first whistle only a few moments away, the atmosphere in Hungary is pumping!
15:42
Here are some of the warm-up photos from the Erd Arena!
I am glad that after a break of a few years, we can fight for the EHF FINAL4 again; this is a big goal for me, the team and the club in general as well. I am confident that last week’s performance and the Hungarian Cup title will give us confidence for this big battle.
