
SUMMARY: Esbjerg celebrate in MOTW, Bietigheim stun Odense

The EHF Champions League Women quarter-finals will confirm the four participants in the EHF FINAL4 Women 2024 on 1/2 June at MVM Dome in Budapest. This weekend's first leg opens with the Match of the Week, in which FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria host Team Esbjerg.
- leg 1 of the EHF Champions League Women quarter-finals
- on Saturday:
- in MOTW Team Esbjerg take a narrow win at FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria (26:25)
- Györi Audi ETO KC enjoy a commanding victory vs reigning champions Vipers Kristiansand (30:23) - on Sunday:
- Bietigheim stunned favored Odense 30:26
- Metz secured a three-goal win in Bucharest against CSM (24:27) - all matches streamed live on EHFTV (geo-restrictions apply); highlights available on Home of Handball YouTube channel
- read the first-leg preview and check the quarter-final schedule
- follow the official EHF Champions League socials on Instagram , X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook
- all photos courtesy of the home teams
Sunday 28 April
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18:00
Teams won't have much time to rest and prepare for the second-leg games as they are waiting for us already next week. That means, that will in a week's time know what four teams will be fighting for the prestigious title on another edition of the EHF CLW FINAL4.
Hatadou Sako had an amazing role for her team today with amazing 18 which is why we'll say goodbye, and wish you a great rest of the day with one of her best saves of the match in Bucharest. As always, keep on following our social media channels to stay up-to-date with everything and see you soon!
17:50
An exciting day is behind us! Bietigheim managed to secure their first ever win over Odense in the EHF Champions League Women, while Metz proved why they finished the group stage on top of their respective group with a dominant performance on one of the toughest courts that you can play a road match on. All the details, stats, and much more - as always, featured in the reviews.
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17:40
With both games of the day now behind us, it's about time we check out the best photos from Ludwigsburg and Bucharest!
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17:35
Three-goal win for Metz in Bucharest. Chloe Valentini was absolutely fantastic scoring seven from just as much attempts. Jorgensen and Bouktit added seven each as well, while Hatadou Sako finished the match with incredible 18 saves being at her absolute best when her team needs her the most, in the key match of the season. Cristina Neague finished the game with nine, while Jensen Ostergaard added four. Laura Glauser (9) and Evelina Eriksson (2) combined for 11 saves which, compared to an exceptional performance from Sako, proved to be the key in today's encounter.
It will surely be interesting to see whether CSM have what it takes to turn the duel upside down in France where they will need a strong performance in order to book a FINAL4 ticket.
17:28 HALF TIME
CSM BUCURESTI - METZ HANDBALL 24:27
17:15
Goal number six of the day for Kristina Jorgensen as we're entering the final five minutes of the encounter. Metz leads by three (22:25).
17:00
It's 18:18 in minute 38. Defenses are looking really well on both sides in the second.
16:53
Neague scores her seventh of the day to level the game at 16:16 minutes into the second half.
16:47
Beautifully executed by Chloe Valentini right here. One of her four goals in the first half.
Too much class 💫 𝗖𝗵𝗹𝗼é 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗶 sends it too high for Laura Glauser #ehfcl #clw #DareToRise #handball pic.twitter.com/WGiZ6fjM0A
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) April 28, 2024
16:40
Six first-half goals from Cristina Neagu were, unfortunately for the home fans, not enough for CSM to go to the break with an advantage. Hatadou Sako delivered a splendid performance between the posts shining with nine saves for Metz, while Chloe Valentini netted four from just as many attempts.
However, with neither team managing to widen the gap significantly in the first, we're clearly up for an interesting game in Bucharest.
16:36 HALF TIME
CSM BUCURESTI - METZ HANDBALL 14:15
16:30
Seven saves for Hatadou Sako so far, and a 12:11 lead for CSM with only five minutes left to play until the break. Huge battle in Bucharest.
16:20
With just under ten minutes left until the half-time whistle, teams are levelled at 9:9. Six goals for Cristina Neagu so far, two for Sarah Bouktit.
𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗮𝗿𝗱 🎁 assisting #ehfcl #clw #DareToRise #handball pic.twitter.com/g0v0kIWZRT
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) April 28, 2024
16:12
Ten minutes into the game in Bucharest it's 4:4 as Neague nets her first of the day. It's clearly going to be a great game to close the day. As the story in Romania unravels, feel free to take a few minutes to check out the official review of the first match of the day with all the most important things highlighted as always!
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16:05
Two-goal lead for the guests five minutes into the encounter. Two goals for Sarah Bouktit who led scorers following the group stage, and three early saves for Hatadou Sako.
16:00
The game in Bucharest is on!
15:55
A quick look back at this Xenia Smits masterpiece with only minutes to go until the opening whistle of the final match of the day!
Passive play, 1 pass left and 𝐗𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐚 𝐒𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐬 💫 scores#ehfcl #clw #DareToRise #handball pic.twitter.com/I3h9gp7LI9
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) April 28, 2024
15:50
Head coach of CSM Bucuresti Adrian Vasile was excited going into the game.
"The last battle before the FINAL4 is ahead of us. Both clubs are setting high standards every season with a lot of quality players on both sides. I have to say we're looking forward to our last home match of the season in the Champions league. We'll surely enjoy it!", concluded Vasile.
15:45
The first match of the day is behind us, but we don't have much time to waste as we've got less than 20 until it's kick-off time in Bucharest! In the final first-leg game of the EHF CLW quarter-finals, top-placed team from Group B Metz Handball will play fourth-placed CSM from Group A.
The last time two teams collided in the quarter-finals, Mety celebrated a 54:48 aggregate win, and it will be interesting to see whether French team has what it takes to repeat the success, and secure a FINAL4 spot.
15:40
Well-rounded performance helped Bietigheim secure a four-goal win in the first quarter-final leg against Odense. Eight goals from Antje Doll, six from Kaba Gassama Cissokho, and 11 saves for Gabriela Moreschi. Andrea Hansen on the other side went 6/6 for Odense, while Althea Rebecca Reinhardt added nine saves.
Although coach Jakob Vestergaard and his team can be proud and happy about this win, it is clear that the deal is not sealed yet in this one, and that everything will be decided in a week's time in Denmark.
15:35 FULL TIME
SG BBM BIETIGHEIM - ODENSE HANDBOLD 30:26
15:30
Going into the final few minutes, Bietigheim are inches away from securing the first win against Odense in the fifth encounter between the two teams. A splendid performance from them in this one!
15:20
Odense are on their way back into this one once again! Danes have managed to cut the gap to three with just under eight minutes left until the final whistle.
15:12
Mid-way through the first, Bietigheim are six goals ahead! Can Odense cut the gap once again?
15:00
Five minutes in, the hosts are holding on to the lead. Currently it's 18:13 with Antje Doll scoring her sixth goal from just as much attempts.
14:55
Second half is on in Germany!
14:45
Strong finish of the first helps the hosts open the gap to three at the break. Four goals for Antje Doll, three for Kaba Gassama Cissokho, and five saves for Gabriela Moreschi. Althea Rebecca Reinhardt answered with five saves as well, while Ragnhild Valle Dahl leads Odense scorers with three so far.
14:38 HALF TIME
SG BBM BIETIGHEIM - ODENSE HANDBOLD 15:12
14:30
A big role for Reinhardt so far in the first!
𝗔𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘁 🌟 appearing when she has to and her team making it count 💪#ehfcl #clw #DareToRise #handball pic.twitter.com/SLJ1zz40gM
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) April 28, 2024
14:25
A 5:0 scoring series helps Odense completely get back into this one at 9:9 with eight minutes left on the clock in the first. Althea Rebecca Reinhardt/s five saves have certainly helped them cut the gap!
14:16
Two goals in a row for the guests from Denmark as Odense cuts the gap to four (8:4). Four of their players on the scoresheet as of now.
14:10
A splendid start sees Bietigheim widen the gap to 7:2 with just under ten minutes on the clock. Not even an early time-out helped Odense turn the tide in an encounter that is not looking good for them so far.
14:05
Good start from the home side!
Two goals for Xenia Smits, and to saves for Gabriela Moreschi early on as Bietigheim takes a 4:2 lead.
13:55
With minutes to go until the opening whistle, the atmosphere is heating up in Germany with everything pointing out to this being a great game! Five minutes left until the start!
13:40
We're slowly finishing with the warm-ups in Ludwigsburg. Here are a couple of photos with 20 minutes left on the clock until EHF CLW action!
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13:25
Odense and Bietigheim met four times so far in the EHF CLW with the Dannish team celebrating on all four occasions. Although the history books are clearly not favoring them, Vestergaard's team will surely be motivated to deliver two strong performances and secure a ticket for the EHF FINAL4 tournament.
13:10
After successfully getting past Ikast in the Play-off stage, Bietigheim are now ready to host Odense. Both teams competed in Group A as Odense finished second with 21 points, while Germans secured seven points less which was enough for the final spot that leads into the knock-outs. And while Odense managed to defeat German rivals dominantly in Denmark (42:29), the match in Ludwigsburg was quite different as Odense celebrated with only 25:28. That performance is surely something Jakob Vestergaard and his team will be looking to build up on today.
13:00
With two EHF CLW quarter-finals games behind us, and two more coming up our way today, welcome to action-filled Sunday. In an hour, Ludwigsburg will host the first game of the day with Bietigheim welcoming Odense. Later on, Romanian capital will host the final first-leg quarter-final game with Metz arriving to face off against CSM!
SATURDAY, 27 APRIL
20:55
That's it from us tonight, but make sure to tune in on Sunday with two more matches coming up.
Starting at 14:00 CET, Bietigheim host Odense, and at 16:00 CET CSM play Metz. Until then, bye-bye!
20:53
Review of the match in Kristiansand is in as well:
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20:20
Check out the Vipers - Györ match condensed into three minutes and six seconds.
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20:10
Just a reminder that second legs are to be played next week. Györ will host Vipers on Saturday 4 May, while Esbjerg and FTC will play on Sunday 5 May.
19:57
Let's go back now to the first match, in Érd. Here are some of the images from that one.
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19:50
Here are some of the first quotes from Kristiansand.
Katrine Lunde, Vipers' goalkeeper:
"Seven goals is quite a lot, but we will be ready again next week. We are good enough to do it."
Nadine Szollosi-Schatzl, Györ's left wing: "We came here to win, we knew Vipers are a good team. There was maybe some revenge from the previous match, but I hope we will go into the second match like it's 0:0, and not plus seven for us."
19:41
Ana Gros with six goals was the most efficient player of the game, with her teammates Dale and Kristiansen adding four each. Silje Solberg on goal saved 10 shots (35 per cent efficiency).
Katrine Lunde also saved 10 shots for Vipers (28 per cent), while Tchaptchet led the scoring chart with five goals. Competition's top scorer Vyakhireva was limited to four successful shots from nine attempts.
19:37
Veronica Kristiansen's terrific goal from nine metres in the final seconds means Györ will leave Norway with a huge seven-goal advantage ahead of the second leg.
𝐀𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐳𝐳𝐞𝐫! 🚨 Veronika Kristinasen said that a 7-goal win is better than a 6-goal one. @audietokc_gyor #ehfcl #clw #daretorise pic.twitter.com/hHGsRrxkSX
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) April 27, 2024
We mentioned at the break that Vipers would need a miracle in the second half today and the same applies for next week.
Even though you should never count out the team that won the previous three editions of the competition, a seven-goal deficit seems too big of a task for Vipers, who have shown plenty of vulnerability this season.
Györ? Not so much. They had some bleak performances near the end of the group phase, but today in Kristiansand they were magnificent.
19:32 | FULL-TIME
VIPERS KRISTIANSAND - GYÖRI AUDI ETO KC 23:30
A truly commanding performance from Györ sees triple reigning champions Vipers come on the brink of elimination. The hosts only led 1:0 and were never tied since 3:3 early on in the match.
The Hungarians have shown what it means to have the best defence in the competition. It simply smothered Vipers' attack and in the end it was a routine victory for Györ.
It will be a huge task for Vipers to turn this deficit around next week as Györ have been almost flawless tonight.
19:23
A glimmer of hope for Vipers as Dale received her third two-minute suspension of the game at 25:21, but the hosts couldn't capitalise on it.
Furthermore, Jamina Roberts has now received her own two-minute suspension after which Ana Gros converted the penalty shot. Györ lead 26:21 with six minutes to go, this could be a crucial goal from the Slovenian.
19:16
Final 10 minutes of the game and Györ are still in control. They lead 25:20 right after Solberg saved Knedlikova's penalty shot. It's a short break now as Johansson called timeout.
Solberg's on nine saves so far.
19:11
Some Györ fans also made their way to Kristiansand. Surely they're enjoying the match because their team is playing some excellent handball.
Photo credit: Terje Refsnes
19:06
Vipers are beginning to find their range from outside, but Györ are not letting them come too close just yet. Jana Knedlikova, who used to be Györ's player from 2015 to 2020, scores from the penalty shot before Stine Oftedal nets her third goal to put the Hungarians six goals to the good (22:16).
Below, we can see a fine goal by Szollosi-Schatzl after an assist from Ryu.
Long pass, short work! 🚀
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) April 27, 2024
Ryu ➡️ Schatzl @audietokc_gyor #ehfcl #clw #daretorise pic.twitter.com/V0s2ti0OPI
19:00
Former Vipers player Veronica Kristiansen puts Györ seven goals in front, 18:11. Triple reigning champions are now in serious trouble, they must respond as soon as possible.
18:54
Second half in Norway starts with Vipers' attack.
18:48
This is the kind of fighting spirit Vipers need in the remainder of the match if they are to recover from this six-goal deficit.
🏆 The reigning champions aren't ready to surrender their spot in the #ehffinal4 without a fight! ⚔️#ehfcl #clw #daretorise @VipersKrSand pic.twitter.com/nQrsC5pmVU
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) April 27, 2024
18:42
And here are the highlights of that match in Érd Arena.
18:40
While we take a break from the Vipers - Györ match, here's the review from today's first match. In MOTW Esbjerg took a dramatic win against FTC.
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18:38 | HALF-TIME
VIPERS KRISTIANSAND - GYÖRI AUDI ETO KC 9:15
Excellent defence led by Solberg and a versatile attack were enough for Györ to comfortably take the first half in Aquarama Kristiansand in front of 2000 noisy home fans. Vipers are struggling to break down the competition's best defence and need a miracle in the second half.
18:31
Another masterpiece from Solberg who saves Arcos Poveda's clear-cut chance. She's on five saves out of 10 attempts. Györ lead 14:8 with five minutes left in the first half.
18:29
Two quick goals from Vipers and immediately Per Johansson stops the play and calls timeout. He doesn't want his team to take their lead lightly. It's 12:7 now.
18:24
Vipers are struggling to keep up with Györ at the moment. The guests lead 12:5 after a 4-0 run concluded by Nze Minko.
18:18
Vipers will need Anna Vyakhireva's goals tonight. Competition's top scorer gets her first of the match to make it 5:7, but Kari Dale, who used to play for Vipers (2016-2018), responds with Györ's eighth goal.
18:13
Tomáš Hlavatý, who used to work as an assistant in Györ, is forced to call a timeout after the Hungarian team raced off to a 6:3 lead. It's a 3-0 run to the guests in the last five minutes.
Silje Solberg impressed with a couple of saves in that run. Norwegian goalkeeper is joining Vipers next season and she's showing a glimpse of what the home crowd could expect in the future.
Silje Solberg feels like home in Kristiansand 😏#ehfcl #clw #Daretorise pic.twitter.com/sR2fXM26Yx
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) April 27, 2024
18:05
Five minutes, five goals. Abbingh twice for Vipers, Gros twice and Kristiansen once for Györ. The guests lead 3:2.
18:00
We're off in Kristiansand. Györ with the first possession.
17:55
We're all set for the second today's match.
Vipers have lost six matches this season, as many as in the previous two seasons combined. They finished only fourth in group B. So, they’re not used to losing that often, but nevertheless when they’re this far, they’re always dangerous, they know how to win.
Györ, on the other hand, had the best defence of the group stage, conceding only 356 goals or 25.4 per match.
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17:50
Aquarama Kristiansand is sold out for this match. Around 2000 home spectators await the arrival of the Hungarian giant whose coach Per Johansson will have his CL debut after replacing Ulrik Kirkely in March. Johansson is also Dutch national team coach.
"I'm driven by big games where it's all or nothing. Everyone in the team is aware of the weight and importance of this match, I work with players who are all about winning. We are facing the defending champion and we know very well that we will need the best possible performance to win", said Johansson.
Even though Györ enjoyed a more successful group phase, Vipers won their last three duels, including the 2021/22 final and the 2022/23 semi-final at the EHF FINAL4.
Back-to-back triple champions with the queens of the #ehfcl! The 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 of the 21st century face each other!
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) April 27, 2024
𝗩𝗶𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗞𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗱 🆚 𝗚𝘆ö𝗿𝗶 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶 𝗘𝗧𝗢 𝗞𝗖 🆚
18:00 CEST ⏰ | Aquarama Kristiansand 🏟️
Who will be in Budapest? 👇✍️ pic.twitter.com/Pz5dDBoMqn
17:47
In less than 15 minutes time triple current champions Vipers Kristiansand are hosts to five-time champions Györi Audi ETO KC.
Vipers eliminated DVSC 56:55 on aggregate in the play-offs, while Györ skipped the play-offs by winning group A with 23 points out of possible 28.
These two teams have won the Champions League in eight out of the last 10 editions. Some would say this is the final before the final, although that is probably a bit harsh to the rest of the field. But, also it's not that far from the truth.
17:45
Henny Reistad was voted Player of the Match for this MOTW.
👑 Henny Reistad went above and beyond to secure her team’s win in Hungary! 🏆 With 10 goals out of 14 shots, she’s the 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 for this #MOTW ! 👏#ehfcl #clw #DareToRise @TeamEsbjerg pic.twitter.com/MaEM8OohHW
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) April 27, 2024
17:43
That's Esbjerg's third straight victory against FTC this season, but it still doesn't have to mean anything, especially after FTC turned it around against Brest in the play-offs.
Last year's finalists have suffered their 10th defeat in this CL season and fifth in a row at home. Despite all of that, they're still alive in this competition and one good match in Denmark is all they need to reach the EHF FINAL4.
Henny Reistad with 10 goals led the way for Esbjerg, just like Andrea Lekic for FTC with seven. Nora Mørk provided precious assistance to Reistad with six goals, as well as Anne Kristensen with 11 saves. Blanka Böde-Bíró also had a phenomenal game, saving 13 shots.
🟢 FTC's defence was rock-solid today, not giving @TeamEsbjerg any chance to gain a bigger advantage! ⛔#ehfcl #clw #daretorise #MOTW🌟. . pic.twitter.com/kHOolggMDS
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) April 27, 2024
17:34
Esbjerg travel back to Denmark with a single goal advantage. It could have been more for the Danes, but also less.
After Böde-Bíró's save, FTC had the opportunity to level the match in the final minute, but couldn't get a shot. In the last 20 seconds, FTC's defence made a good block and then Böde-Bíró stopped Mørk's ball on the goal-line.
17:32 | FULL-TIME
FTC-RAIL CARGO HUNGARIA - TEAM ESBJERG 25:26
17:28
Hársfalvi and Simon bring back hope to FTC, Esbjerg's lead is reduced to 26:25! Final two minutes.
17:25
Rikke Iversen outsmarts Böde-Bíró from fast break and now Esbjerg lead 25:22 with only five minutes to go. FTC have spent so much energy coming back into this match and now it seems they can't step it up enough to win it.
17:22
After almost six full minutes of play Esbjerg found the net (21:22) and then Jesper Jensen pulled a magnificent move. He put Amalie Milling on goal for Lekic's penalty and she's saved it! Her first play of the match, and at such an important moment.
Amalie Milling goes in for 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐞!
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) April 27, 2024
The goalkeepers are at a different level today! 🤩#ehfcl #clw #daretorise #MOTW 🌟 @TeamEsbjerg pic.twitter.com/tKkZl7VPSE
Reistad immediately takes full advantage to make it +2 to Esbjerg, 23:21. Timeout FTC.
17:18
With 10 minutes until the final buzzer, FTC are level, 21:21! Böde-Bíró added yet another save before Hársfalvi netted for the first parity since 10:10. Previously, Malestein and Bölk scored for FTC.
17:15
Cvijic, who's returned into action after that ankle injury, received a two-minute suspension. However, Böde-Bíró came to rescue by saving Mørk's penalty shot, her ninth save of the match. It's still 21:18.
Blanka 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐋𝐋 Biro! 🚫#ehfcl #clw #DareToRise #MOTW 🌟 pic.twitter.com/SgujXoGYSW
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) April 27, 2024
17:11
Both teams could have scored now, but failed to convert their fast breaks. A hectic sequence of play is interrupted by Jensen's timeout. Esbjerg lead 21:18 with 14 minutes left in this match.
17:08
Henny Reistad has been quiet in the second half and now she scores from outside over the home defensive wall. That's her seventh goal and gives Esbjerg some more breathing space, 20:17.
17:02
How important that Lekic's steal might prove to be. Suddenly, it's a one-goal match after Lekic scores twice in a row to narrow the gap do 17:16. Lekic is today's leading scorer with seven goals.
16:58
What a steal from Lekic to prevent Esbjerg running away to a five-goal lead. Instead, it's 16:13 after the Serbian legend assisted for Kisfaludy's goal.
Thief alert 🚨@andlek77 is not ready to give up on the attack just yet! #ehfcl #clw #DareToRise #MOTW🌟 pic.twitter.com/UqPSSwhAOc
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) April 27, 2024
16:53
Iversen scores for Esbjerg (14:11) as Dragana Cvijic injures her ankle. She can't continue, at least for now, and she's escorted back to the bench.
16:51
Second half is under way. First offence for Esbjerg.
16:48
Also check out our features on Esbjerg's stats as well as legends of the game Andrea Lekic and Nora Mørk.
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16:44
FTC's Emily Bölk finished the first half without a goal from two shots, before Petra Simon stepped in and scored three. This is Bölk in The Spin episode below:
16:39
Still all to play for in the second half in Érd Arena.
16:36 | HALF-TIME
FTC-RAIL CARGO HUNGARIA - TEAM ESBJERG 11:13
Esbjerg lead by two at the break, having been in front through most of the first half.
Andrea Lekic (four goals) and Petra Simon (three) were the only FTC's players who were able to find a way through solid Esbjerg's defence led by Anna Kristensen and her eight saves.
On the offensive end Henny Reistad was unstoppable with six goals out of eight attempts. FTC couldn't quite capitalise on Böde-Bíró's heroics early on.
16:32
Leads were being exchanged back and forth, but now Esbjerg score four goals in a row to lead 13:10. Final two and a half minutes of the first half.
16:26
Petra Simon strikes twice to level the match at 8:8 and now Böde-Bíró saves Mørk's penalty shot! She's going wild and animating the home crowd!
16:21
Klujber and Lekic bring FTC to a single goal deficit, but then Anna Kristensen denies the hosts to draw level. Esbjerg's goalkeepers is also having a terrific game so far, she's saved five shots already. Mørk then scores Esbjerg's eighth goal (6:8).
16:16
Reistad is wreaking havoc on FTC's defence right now. She scores her fourth goal of the match before Jacobsen adds her second and now it's 7:4 to Esbjerg. Timeout Heine.
Henny Reistad enters the chat with this 🚀 !#ehfcl #clw #Daretorise #MOTW 🌟 @TeamEsbjerg pic.twitter.com/umFJduvZFh
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) April 27, 2024
16:14
Blanka Böde-Bíró is in exceptional form so far. Her four saves already (from the first seven shots) helped FTC take over the lead at 4:3 thanks to Lekic's goal, but Iversen and Reistad turned it around again. Esbjerg lead 5:4, it's a tight affair thus far, as expected.
🥅 Blanka Biro - 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗲𝘁 🧲!
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) April 27, 2024
🔥 What a start in the #MOTW for the 🇭🇺 goalkeeper!#ehfcl #DaretoRise #clw pic.twitter.com/Yo5HkqMDl4
16:07
Cvijic opens the scoring for FTC, Reistad responds twice for Esbjerg to make it 1:2. Remember FTC's head coach Allan Heine saying he's got a plan against Reistad? It didn't work on those two occasions.
In the meantime, Lekic tied it at 2:2 and then Jacobsen scored for Esbjerg (3:2).
16:00
Here we go, first offence for FTC.
15:58
It's a packed Érd Arena with just a few minutes until throw-off!
15:47
This is how FTC and Esbjerg played out their last year's semi-final clash. It was decided in the final seconds, and we wouldn't be surprised if the same scenario happened next week in the second leg in Denmark.
🤔 What's your most memorable moment from @Fradi_HU 🆚 @TeamEsbjerg ?
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) April 27, 2024
🔥 Here's ours ⤵️#ehfcl #CLW #DareToRise #MOTW 🌟 pic.twitter.com/KK86EWkvbR
15:41
FTC's head coach Allan Heine seems confident his team can stop Esbjerg's offensive firepower.
"We have a plan against Reistad, Breistøl, Mørk, and against Iversen, but Esbjerg have a very strong squad as a whole, we can't forget about their world-class wingers. So, we have to find a solution against the whole team, but the fact is that Reistad is one of their key players, we have to try to adapt to her. It will be important for our defence to be stable on its feet, this can give confidence and momentum to the attacks as well."
Photo credit: Fradi.hu
15:36
Full warm-up focus from FTC who have, remarkably, lost all four previous home matches in the CL! That incredible run started with their today's opponent, Esbjerg od 13 January (28:33).
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15:31
FTC and Esbjerg have been close acquaintances over the past few years. Last season FTC beat Esbjerg 30:29 in the semi-final, but this season in the group stage the Danes won both times, which could give them a slight psychological edge over their opponents.
Esbjerg's head coach Jesper Jensen is cautious and even compares FTC to a football giant:
"It will be a super tough match, and we have to remember that. This is a team that won the cup two years in a row and lost the league on goalscoring last year, so to say that FTC are not good is disrespectful. They also tend to deliver every time they play the big games, and that's something that comes from the club's history. Like Real Madrid in football, they know when to strike. And that's why you can't compare it to the matches in the group stage."
Photo credit: KisricsoPhoto
15:22
Érd Arena is completely sold out for the clash between FTC and Esbjerg. About 2000 home fans will raise their voices in the hope that their team will overcome the final obstacle on the road to Budapest, which is located only some 20 kilometres away from Érd.
FTC made their way to the quarter-finals by beating Brest 59:56 on aggregate, including winning the return leg in France, showing incredible grit along the way. Despite having the most losses in the entire competition among the teams still active in the competition (nine), FTC are never to be counted out.
Esbjerg qualified for the quarter-finals by securing the second place in group B with 22 points, the same as group winners Metz. FTC played in the same group and finished only sixth.
The #MOTW 🌟 that will thrill all handball fans. First 60 minutes to fight to be in Budapest! 🔥
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) April 27, 2024
𝗙𝗧𝗖-𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗼 𝗛𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮 🆚 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗘𝘀𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗿𝗴
16:00 CEST ⏰ | Erd Arena 🏟️
POTW will be ______ 👇✍️ #CLW #DareToRise pic.twitter.com/J0t69PZ28w
15:15
We have two top class matches in store today. From 16:00 CET, last year's finalists FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria host Team Esbjerg, who are looking for their third consecutive EHF FINAL4 appearance.
At 18:00 CET, triple reigning champions Vipers Kristiansand play five-time champions Györi Audi ETO KC.
So, if you're a handball fanatic - and we know you are! - our live blog is the place for you during the next several hours. Golden Road to Budapest is heating up!
15:10
With great pleasure and pride we announce that for the very first time in the history of EHF CL Women the MOTW will have English commentary! It will be provided by Nina Bargel-Neuhaus, one of the commentators from our female commentators project.
Bargel-Neuhaus has already called Highlight Matches for the Women's EHF EURO 2024 Qualifiers, after being selected through the EHF's groundbreaking female commentators project last year. Today, her voice will be heard from Érd.
Check out more about her story below:
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15:00
The week of truth starts for the eight teams left in this season's EHF Champions League Women: who will qualify for the EHF FINAL4 2024 in Budapest on 1/2 June? So, welcome to the live blog covering the first leg of the quarter-finals today and tomorrow!
The first of this weekend's four games – the MOTW between FTC and Esbjerg in Érd – throws off in one hour, so time to get yourself up to date by reading the first-leg preview written by EHF journalists Danijela Vekić and Adrian Costeiu:
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